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This means it is larger than the red fox Vulpes vulpes (4–7 kg Lanszki et al. The golden jackal is an opportunistic generalist canid predator, classified as a mesocarnivore, with a body weight of 8 to 14 kg (Lanszki et al. This paper aims to review the diet studies that have been performed on the golden jackal in Europe and provide an overview of its dietary intake. However, especially in the absence of apex predators, mesocarnivores have been found to remove large numbers of rodent crop pests and favour plant biodiversity (Norrdahl et al. 2013), mesocarnivores such as the golden jackal and the coyote Canis latrans are rarely recognised for the ecological functions they exert (Roemer et al. While apex predators such as the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx and the grey wolf are known for their influence in the habitats they occupy (e.g. As a result, the last decade has seen an increase in studies published on this species and its diet. Due to the range expansion of the golden jackal, scientists have raised concerns about their behaviour and ecology in newly colonised areas. 2012) and the intensive persecution of grey wolves Canis lupus in Eastern Europe, which eliminated top-down control of golden jackal populations (Krofel et al. The expansion of the golden jackal throughout Europe is thought to be driven by multiple factors, e.g. While it was previously most abundant in south-east Europe, progressively more records are found of sightings in the west, notably Germany (Klärner 2017), and of reproduction in Poland (Kowalczyk et al. The golden jackal Canis aureus is a widespread mesocarnivore (a carnivore weighing less than 15 kg), native to Asia and Europe, that has been expanding its geographical range throughout Europe for well over a decade (Arnold et al. The golden jackal provides regulating and maintenance ecosystem services as a scavenger and consumer of crop pests. The diet composition differs greatly between areas and seasons, which points towards the golden jackal as a highly adaptive opportunistic omnivore, and demonstrates its ability to use many available food resources.Domestic animals and ungulates were primarily consumed as carcasses, and not hunted or killed by golden jackals.
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Birds and lagomorphs were also often found in the diet. Golden jackals were found to eat mainly small mammals (54% biomass), followed by domestic animals, ungulates and plants together, these items make up 90% of the golden jackal’s diet.This paper aims to review the diet studies that have been performed on the golden jackal in Europe and provide a complete overview of its food intake, feeding behaviour and strategy.Understanding its trophic ecology is increasingly important as it colonises new areas and ecosystems. The golden jackal Canis aureus is spreading throughout Europe and settling in countries where it has never been found before.