One of three species of dogs (family Canidae): the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and side-striped jackal (C. adustus), both occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal (C. aureus) of central and southern Eurasia. Jackals are small and omnivorous, and live mainly as territorial, monogamous pairs, hunting alone or in pairs, but occasionally forming small packs to scavenge a large carcass.