Diet of the black backed jackal Canis mesomelas in the central Namib Desert, South West Africa

Abstract

The diet of Canis mesomelas was studied in the central Namib Desert, South West Africa. A sample of 772 scats was collected from three main sites (coastal, dry riverine and open plains) and two minor sites (Diamond Area 2). Scats from the coastal site contained predominantly bird material whereas scats from the riverine and plains sites contained predominantly plant material. The present study is compared with other feeding studies of this species, particularly in South Africa.