Coordinated Foraging and Social Interactions in a Targeted Pair of Sri Lankan Jackals (Canis aureus naria Wroughton, 1916) During Rodent Hunting

Overview & Synopsis

We report observations of coordinated foraging and social interactions in a targeted pair of Sri Lankan jackals (Canis aureus naria - Syn.: Canis aureus lanka, Family: Canidae) in Bovila, Sri Lanka, while hunting rodents. Rodents are significant agricultural pests in Sri Lanka, particularly in paddy fields, and natural predation by jackals may contribute to their population control. The pair displayed sex-specific roles: the female actively excavated for rodents and captured prey, while the male maintained vigilance and assisted in intercepting escaping prey. Cooperative behaviors, including sentinel activity, intraspecific vocalizations, and tolerant feeding, highlight complex social coordination. These observations provide insight into the behavioral ecology of C. aureus naria and its potential role in ecosystem-based pest management.