Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758.

This is a fairly large canine that averages 87 cm head-and-body length; the tail length is 32 cm and the shoulder height is 44 cm. The general color is sandy grey with a dorsal mane of coarse black-tipped hairs and a black tip to the tail. The Jackal lives in cultivated areas and oases, semi-barren desert, and steppes. It is generally nocturnal but is often seen in the late afternoon. This omnivorous animal eats fruit, fish, frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals; it also eats carrion and evidently enjoys the desert snails found in the Mediterranean Coastal Desert. Breeding takes place between October and November and after the gestation period of 63 days, 1-9 young are born. The world distribution is from southeastern Europe through Asia Minor to Iran and eastward to Myanmar. It is widespread in Africa from Egypt to Morocco and south as far as Kenya. In Egypt, it inhabits the Nile Valley and Delta, parts of the Western Desert, and North Sinai.