The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a fixture of the east and southern African landscape. Usually seen skulking around the periphery of kills made by Africa’s much larger predators. Although regarded as lowly scavengers at the bottom of the predatory pecking order jackals are cunning, resourceful, and successful little generalist predators. These traits are enjoyed by similarly successful canids such as coyotes and red foxes and ensure that jackals will be a prominent fixture in Africa long after the more specialized apex predators have gone extinct. The varied diet of the black-backed jackal includes various small invertebrates, eggs, fruit, carrion, human refuse, and a range of vertebrate prey that includes young antelopes and warthogs, mongooses, birds, snakes, lizards, rodents, livestock, and just about any animal they can overpower up to the size of an adult Thompson’s gazelle or impala.
The black-backed jackal was once classified in the Canis genus, along with wolves, coyotes, and the golden jackal. The black-backed jackal was placed in the Lupelella genus along with the side-striped jackal in 2017. Although they prefer dry open areas the black-backed jackal occupies a range of habitats that include savannas, farmland, coastal deserts, and the outskirts of cities and suburbs. The black-backed jackal is monogamous and lives in family units made up of a bonded pair and their offspring.
Although a few options exist for black-backed jackal figures the best figure is the one we’re looking at today by CollectA, produced in 2014. The figure measures 3” (7.62 cm) long and stands 1.5” (3.81 cm) tall at the shoulder. The actual black-backed jackal weighs between 13-29 lbs. (6–13 kg) and stands 15-19” (38–48 cm) at the shoulder. Using shoulder height to scale the figure it comes out to about 1/19 in scale.
The diminutive CollectA jackal is presented striding forward with its left forepaw lifted off the ground. The back is slightly hunched, and the head angled downward, looking as though the figure is foraging for small food items. It’s a dynamic pose that compliments the figure from multiple angels. The detail work is top notch for such a small figure with highlights including the foot and toe pads, and tufts of hair within the ears. The figure is accurate to the species with its slender build, long-legs, and foxlike appearance.
The paintjob is decent but different enough from the promotional images that I was initially disappointed in it, coming off as cheaper than it was advertised. The body is tan in color with a black saddle along its back. Silver hairs are mixed in with the black back coloration and the tail is black and silver as well. A dark black stripe lacking silver hairs should run along the torso and although I think CollectA tried to convey this with the toy it doesn’t really show up as distinctly as it would in life.
The underside of the jaw and neck, chest, and inside surface of the legs are painted white. The mouth and eyes are edged in black, and the nose is black as well. The eyes are brown with black pupils and the paint application on the eyes is exceptional. The toe pads are gray.
Overall, despite some initial disappointment in the final product vs. the promotional images, this is a fantastic little figure of an animal essential to any collection of wild canines or African wildlife. Any disappointment I originally had upon receiving it is now long gone. The CollectA black-backed jackal is still in production and retails for about $5.
