When wondering which mammals you may encounter on a trip to the German countryside, you might think of squirrels, deer, and the good old wild boar.
But now, you may be likely to meet an entirely new critter on your travels as the golden jackal, native to regions far to the south, is calling Germany home.
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The German Wildlife Foundation reported that this predatory species, characterised by its golden-brown fur and slender physique, has been gradually spreading across the country. But thanks to its tendency to keep a low profile, its presence has gone largely unnoticed.
The Wildlife Foundation added that the exact population size remains unknown, thanks to the golden jackal's adaptability and broad dietary range which allow them to thrive in a variety of landscapes.
Where do they live?
The golden jackal is a native of Southeast Asia and Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, but thanks to increasing temperatures in Germany, it's now making the Bundesrepublik its home, too.
"Germany has a new animal species," says Jörg Tillmann from the German Federal Environmental Foundation.
National Geographic reported the presence of three golden jackal pups born in the northern state of Lower Saxony last year and, a year earlier, there was already a confirmed litter in the Black Forest-Baar district in Baden-Württemberg. Sightings have also been reported from North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria.
While these creatures are often raised in forests and marshy areas, they can also be attracted to rural settlements if they find food sources, such as discarded waste or small pets.
Are golden jackals dangerous?
Golden jackals pose no significant threat to humans. They are inherently shy and tend to avoid contact with people, which makes them a rare sight in the country.
When it comes to their diet, these jackals are opportunistic feeders, preying on amphibians, insects, fish, small birds, bird eggs, small mammals, and even crops. They're also known to scavenge.
Their hunting style is similar to that of foxes and involves stealthily approaching their prey before launching a surprise attack. This similarity in their hunting preferences has caused concern for fox populations where golden jackals have established themselves.
Wolves, too, may pose a threat to golden jackals, as they are known to prey on them. In most cases, golden jackals live in pairs, marking territories covering two to three square kilometres, which they defend and hunt together.
How big can they get?
At 50 centimetres in height and 1.05 metres in length, the golden jackals are larger than foxes but notably smaller than their lupine cousins, wolves. However, it's essential to distinguish them from wolves, especially given their potential similarities at first glance.
The key difference lies in the shape of their heads, with golden jackals having narrow, elongated heads compared to the broader, shorter snouts of wolves.
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