Main Difference
The main difference between the Wolf and Jackal is that Wolf belongs to Canis lupus species, whereas Jackal belongs to three species, which are Canis mesomelas, Canis adustus, and Canis aureus.
Wolf vs. Jackal
Wolf belongs to the Canis lupus species, whereas jackal recognized by three common species as Canis mesomelas, Canis adustus, and Canis aureus. Wolf word is originated from the Proto-Germanic source “wulfaz;” on the other hand, the jackal is considered to be the word of Sanskrit origin “srgala” mean “howler” through the Persian word “Shoghal.” Wolf is the large-sized animal, while jackal is considered to be comparatively medium-sized less than the wolf.
Wolf is mainly recognized by the two of the common species, which are a grey wolf and red wolf; on the other side, jackal includes three distinct species, which are golden jackal, black-backed jackal, and side-striped jackal. Wolves reproduce to give 5 to 7 pups by young females and up to 14 pups by the older female, while jackal can give about 2 to 4 pups at a time. Wolf is known to be carnivorous as feed on the other animals; on the flip side, the jackal is omnivorous as it can feed on the animals as well as plants based on available resources.
Wolves have a gestation period of about the 62 to 75 days, whereas jackals according to species may vary in duration of gestation period as black back jackal having a gestation period of about 61 days, side-striped jackal having a gestation period of about 60 days, and golden jackal of about 57 to 70 days. The recorded speed of the wolf is about 55 to 70km per hour, while jackal’s recorded average speed is about 20km per hour.
Comparison Chart
What is Wolf?
Wolf belongs to the Canis lupus species, which is related to the Canidae family being the largest member of its family. Wolf can be distinguished from other Canis members by specific features, which include less pointed ears, longer tail, shorter torso or trunk, and a blunt muzzle. Wolf is one of the social, behavioral animals who tackles the prey more actively and exclusive in cooperative game hunting. The word wolf is originated from the Proto-Germanic source “wulfaz.” Canis estruscus is considered to be a descendant of the wolf.
The winter fur of the wolf is fluffy and dense, highly resistant to cold. Their habitat can be diverse depending upon the food from sea level, wetlands, forests, deserts, to snowy areas. Their native habitat is Eurasia (whole Europe and Asia), North America, and North Africa. The common wolf’s diet is wild animals, while they also rely on domestic species in some conditions. They reproduce having a gestation period of about 62 to 75 days in the spring season, or early summer may give about 5 to 7 pups by young females while may up to 14 by an older female at a time. The newborn pups are blind and deaf. They can see after nine to twelve days.
The reported wild wolf’s lifespan is about 8 to 10 years. Wolves are considered to be the major vectors of the rabies carrier in Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, and India. Infectious canine hepatitis, papillomatosis, and canine coronavirus are some viral diseases in wolves. Bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, and anthrax are some bacterial diseases in wolves.
What is Jackal?
Jackal name recognized three species of Canis, which are Canis mesomelas, Canis adustus, and Canis aureus. The common names of jackal’s species are black back jackal having a gestation period of about 61 days, side-striped jackal having a gestation period of about 60 days, and golden jackal of about 57 to 70 days. The first two belong to sub-Saharan Africa, and the third belongs to south-central Eurasia. The word jackal has been derived from the word of Sanskrit origin “srgala” mean “howler” through the Persian word “Shoghal.”
Jackals are omnivores as compared to the wolves. They are adapted in accordance with the available source of food. Wolves give about 2 to 4 pups at a time. They are medium-sized canine species. The recorded average speed of the jackal is about 20 kilometers per hour, with a record of fastest speed is 32 kilometers per hour. Jackals are more active during the dawn and dusk. They are strict towards the marking of their territory by secreting pheromones.
Jackals hybrid with the dog can also be made, but it has reported causing various disorders. Height of shoulder of jackal is about 30 to 50 cm but also varies from the species to species as a golden shepherd has a height of about 83cm, side-striped jackal of about 69 to 81 cm, and black-backed jackal of about 60 to 90 cm.
Key Differences
- Wolf is the animal that belongs to the species Canis lupus, whereas jackal belongs to three commonly known species, which are Canis mesomelas, Canis adustus, and Canis aureus.
- Wolf word has been originated from the Proto-Germanic source “wulfaz,” while jackal word is from the Sanskrit origin “srgala” mean “howler” through the Persian word “Shoghal.”
- Wolf is the carnivorous animal feed on the other animals; on the other hand, the jackal is the omnivorous animal that feeds on the animals as well as plants according to availability of source.
- Wolf common members include the red wolf and grey wolf, whereas common jackal members are side-striped jackal, golden jackal, and black-back jackal.
- Wolf has the larger height ranges from 105 to 160 cm; on the flip side of the coin, the jackal is medium-sized, smaller than wolves, height ranges from 60 to 90 cm.
- Wolf can reproduce to the birth of 5 to 7 pups at a time and even up to 14 pups by an older female, while jackal can give birth to about 2 to 4 pups.
- Wolf has the gestation period of about 62 to 75 days, whereas jackal’s gestation period varies depending upon species.
Conclusion
Wolf is carnivorous, belongs to Canis lupus species, a large-sized, gestation period of about 62 to 75 days, whereas jackals are omnivorous, belongs to three species commonly, the gestation period depends on the type of species.
