Tuesday 18 September 2012

ABC Wednesday, J for Jackal







With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and thank you too, Roger! For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with J.

You can enlarge the video by pressing the rectangle in the right bottom corner.

When I was in Israel in March, I stayed in an apartment, which was surrounded by a fence, the gate of which had to be closed every night. This was to keep the jackals out.Although I never saw one, I could hear them every night. During the day they hide and it's difficult to find them, for they are very shy.The only thing I can show you is this fence and gate, and I can show a photo of Wikipedia.In Israel, golden jackals have been shown to be significant predators of snakes,
including venomous snakes, which is good, but the local cats run the risk to be caught as well.

Wikipedia says:"The vocabulary of the golden jackal is similar to that of dogs, with seven different sounds having been recorded. Different subspecies can be recognised by differences in their howls. This sound is usually uttered shortly after dark or before dawn. The golden jackal may howl for different reasons, such as to call other jackals or, seemingly, to announce changes in weather. It has been recorded to howl upon hearing church bells, sirens or the whistles of steam engines and boats. It typically howls at dawn, midday and the evening hours. Groups will occasionally howl in chorus, which is thought to reinforce family bonds, as well as advertise territorial status."

We had to close the gate every night.
The lodge where I stayed for two weeks.

 Jackals can not enter this area.

21 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

I suspect they ae a very much maligned animal, Wil, rather like our fox.
I am still on the look-out for books on rabbits.

Roger Owen Green said...

Don't see them in this part of the US, but they are legendary, in a not good way. Think about what it means to call a person a jackal.

Sylvia K said...

I think they are much maligned as well, Wil, and sadly, their behavior is a result of being driven from the land they considered their home. This has happened to so many animals all over the world! Great post for the J Day! Hope your week is going well!

Ann said...

Their sounds are quite eery. What a mysterious animals.
Ann

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Who'd of thought. They look very similar to our coyote's in the USA. A mere fence is no obstacle to a coyote though.

Unknown said...

I remember the novel "The Day of the Jackal".:p

howling dogs give me goosebumps---my grandmother used to tell us kids that dogs howl when they see "evil".:p i hope the jackals in Israel will not be endangered.

ABC Wed: J is for...

ChrisJ said...

Jackals and coyotes are very similar. We have a family of coyotes living just over our next door neighbors fence, right here in town. Ours are mostly known for catching household pets, so we keep our kitties and small dogs inside. Very rarely we may hear of one attacking a small child, but cougars are more well known for that. I quite like the idea of living close to wild things, as long as we are wise in our living habits.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Fascinating post! I know there are TONS of cats in Israel which helps with the 'vermin' population.

It's always nice visiting. Have a great week.

Hazel said...

If they are after snakes, then I support them. An interesting time in Israel. A friend who frequents the country (work) says it's an expensive place to be.

photowannabe said...

How interesting that you had to close the gate at night because of the Jackals.
I remember while in Kenya, Africa hearing the hyenas at night and how eerie they sounded. It must ave been the same for you too.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

True-they have an unwarranted bad rap, those jackles. Teh more we learn, the more we can understand.

Tito Eric said...

Thank you for sharing. Now, I have a better understanding of jackals. As said, you learn something new everyday :)

Cheers ... visiting from ABC Wednesday!

Here's mine:
http://turningboholano.blogspot.com/2012/09/jfk.html

Dina said...

The jackals are still alive and well here in the woods, Wil. You can click on my label "jackals" to see and hear them.
Sorry you missed seeing one in person. I quite like them.

Lisa said...

Jackals look and sounds like our coyotes. Cousins? Sounds like they might be beneficial if they kill snakes. More interesting info about a fascinating part of the world.

Chubskulit Rose said...

I only see them in the zoo Wil. Nice captures.

Juice in Jars
Your comment always bring joy to me, so leave me one when you can.

Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Kay said...

What an interesting J post, Wil. I've never seen or heard a jackal in the wild. You really had a lot of adventures in Israel! Wow!

Anonymous said...

What a great shot of the jackal.

Cloudia said...

The sound of the desert!


Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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A Colorful World said...

A VERY important fence! It's like the ones we have here to keep the coyotes and javelina out! What an interesting post on the jackal! Thanks for your comments on my vacation posts.

Mildred said...

Great entry for J day!
Reminds me that when I was a kid they were said to imitate a baby's cry so you would go out of your house and they would attack you!
I've never heard one or seen one so I don't know if this is true!
Thanks for sharing****

***
Have a nice week****

Mildred said...

Oh, forgot to tell you I love your header photo!
Reminds me of my childhood too because our house was in the middle of a pine forest;o)