Wildlifeof Thailand
Golden Jackal
Canidae
Photo: Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Canis aureus
Basic stats
Diet
Small vertebrates, invertebrates, carrion, fruit and human refuse
Habitat
Open woodland, scrub, grassland, farmland and wetlands
Range
Southeastern Europe and southern Asia
The golden jackal is a medium-sized canid with long legs, pointed ears and a coarse coat varying from yellowish grey to reddish brown. It is smaller and more lightly built than most wolves, though taxonomy formerly confused some African wolf populations with this species (Mammal Diversity Database; IUCN species assessment).
It is an adaptable omnivore of open woodland, scrub, grassland, farmland and wetlands from southeastern Europe across southern Asia. Pairs or small family groups consume small vertebrates, invertebrates, carrion, fruit and refuse. In Thailand it is scarce and vulnerable to habitat change and persecution (IUCN species assessment). It is Nationally Vulnerable (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Golden Jackal eat?
- Small vertebrates, invertebrates, carrion, fruit and human refuse
- What habitat does the Golden Jackal live in?
- Open woodland, scrub, grassland, farmland and wetlands
- Where is the Golden Jackal found?
- Southeastern Europe and southern Asia