Golden jackal or as sometimes Sri Lankan population is known as Black-backed Jackal (C.a. lanka is no longer considered as a sub species but synonym of the C.a. naria also occurs in the South India.) is a mammal inhabiting grasslands, scrubs, marshy areas and such habitats throughout the island, while becoming rare in the higher hills and much common in the dry lowlands. Though usually they are encountered as pairs Golden jackal often hunts in small packs. It is an omnivorous animal and eat anything that it can kill such as birds, lizards, small mammals, beetles etc. Golden jackal is also a scavenger of dead animals and eat fruits and berries too. In forested areas with less human presence it can be seen any time of day or night. But it become a nocturnal animal when wandering close to human habitations.
