Original Research

Social interactions of black-backed jackals canis mesomelas in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

J.W.H. Ferguson
Koedoe | Vol 21, No 1 | a969 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v21i1.969 | © 1978 J.W.H. Ferguson | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 01 September 1978 | Published: 03 September 1978

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J.W.H. Ferguson, S.A. Lombard Nature Reserve

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Abstract

Social interactions among black-backed jackals are recognised as amicable, agonistic and aggressive. Allogrooming within a jackal pair is common, and a fixed "greeting" ceremony takes place between the pair members. Agonistic postures are well-developed, and closely follow the typical canine pattern, with minor characteristics specific to black-backed jackals. A behaviour pattern which is apparently rare in canines, is described - the submissive animal rests its forelegs on the rump of the dominant. Body-slamming is common. Occasionally submissive animals hide in order to avoid interactions with dominant ones. Submission is not stereo-typed, but is graded into a number of steps. It would appear that the intensity of submissive postures is at least in part determined bv the degree of dominance of the superior animal Black-backed jackals have a well-developed social life.


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Crossref Citations

1. Canis mesomelas
Lyle R. Walton, Damien O. Joly
Mammalian Species  vol: 715  first page: 1  year: 2003  
doi: 10.1644/715