DefinePK

Abstract

The present study was carried out in three different tehsils of Faisalabad, to assess the food and feeding behavior of Asiatic Jackal (Canis aureus). Food items consumed by jackal in four different seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) were identified by stomach analysis of shot animals. Number of shot animals for each season was 10. Total number of shot animals for all seasons was 40. Twenty seven different types of food items were identified for all seasons from stomach contents. It included 19 plant species, 4 types of animal material and remaining was reptiles, insects, unknown plants and unidentified materials. Nine and eleven plant species were consumed by jackal in spring and summer seasons, respectively while in autumn and winter, only 7 plant species were consumed. Four types of animal matters were eaten by jackal in spring, summer and autumn while in winter, 3 types were consumed. Among crop plants, wheat (Triticum aestivum), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (sorghum bicolor) were the most prominent species. Among trees, beri (Zizyphus mauritiana), shahtut (Morus alba), pipal (Ficus religiosa) and lasura (Cordia myxa) were consumed. Among animal food, domestic birds, domestic animals and rats were prominent. Among plant species, Morus alba with mean relative frequency 9.21 + 4.82 was the most extensively consumed plant. Unknown plants were consumed in significant proportion ((3.75 + 2.14). In animal contents, domestic birds (14.49+5.52) and domestic animals (10.79+6.65) were frequently consumed. Insects (2.42+2.42), unknown materials (8.55+4.81), unidentified matter (4.23+2.21) were consumed in different quantities. Asiatic jackal in the study area during all the four seasons, ranging from 40.06% to 53.48%, with maximum consumption occurring during winter season.