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The American golden jackal (Canis magnus), also known as the American jackal, is a species of jackal that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced to the forests, savannas, valleys, shrublands, deserts, wetlands, mountains, marshlands, alpine, tundra and boreal environments, scrublands, open woodlands and grasslands throughout North America to help boost biodiversity. The American golden jackal is slightly larger than the closely related Eurasian golden jackal (Canis aureus) and possesses longer legs, a shorter tail, a more elongated torso, a less-prominent forehead, and a narrower and more pointed muzzle. The American golden jackal's coat can vary in color from a pale creamy yellow in summer to a dark tawny beige in winter. Despite its name, the golden jackal is not closely related to the African black-backed jackal or side-striped jackal, which are part of the genus Lupulella, being instead closer to wolves and coyotes. During the winter, in areas such as the boreal, alpine, and tundra environments where it gets cold, the fur of the American golden jackal can grow long and thick like a wolf's fur to help keep the jackal warm against the freezing temperatures during the winter. However, the American golden jackal is usually either a solitary animal or living in packs, depending on an individual. They are omnivorous, usually feeding on rodents, hares, ground birds and their eggs, reptiles, frogs, fish, insects and fruit, though they are opportunistic predators, they'll occasionally work together in packs to hunt larger prey, which can be about the size of a large domestic goat. The conservation status of the American golden jackal is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American golden jackal's wide range, its immunity against most diseases and viruses (including those spread by domestic dogs) and its tolerance to most of human activities, including being able to adapt to life in rural areas, cities, and suburbs, similarly to coyotes (Canis latrans).
List of American golden jackal subspecies[]
- Great Plains golden jackal (Canis magnus prairiensis)
- California golden jackal (Canis magnus californianus)
- Mexican golden jackal (Canis magnus mexicanus)
- Florida golden jackal (Canis magnus floridanus)
- Eastern golden jackal (Canis magnus yorkus)
- Canada golden jackal (Canis magnus canadensis)
- Arctic golden jackal (Canis magnus arctos)