Food of Canis Mesomelas in South Africa

Abstract

The black-backed jackal is probably the most important problem animal in the sheep-farming areas of South Africa and especially in the Transvaal. To determine the extent of damage done by Canis mesomelas in such areas, a study was initiated to analyse the stomach contents of black-backed jackals collected in South Africa. In 1965 Grafton published a preliminary report on the food of the black-backed jackal in South Africa. Since then many additional stomachs have been collected. However, as the analysis of the stomach contents is time consuming, it is profitable to determine whether increasing the sample size beyond a certain point can add to existing knowledge. This is the primary aim of the present report.