Golden jackal’s underground shelters: natal site selection, seasonal burrowing activity and pup rearing by a cathemeral canid

Abstract

Availability and use of a natal burrow site is a prerequisite for survival, propagation, and breeding success for many burrow-dependent species. Among mammals, canids typically use existing burrows of other animals during the breeding season. The study describes the factors influencing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in selecting appropriate burrows in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, including a description of site-specific habitat characteristics, microhabitat conditions, and the burrow-specific activities. Jackals had occupied 11 of the 47 recorded burrows and had chosen the area with more wood cover. The occupied burrows were found active throughout the day. The mean detections per day were significantly highest in the month of May for “rearing pups.” The nocturnal activity was associated with the lunar phase, with a significant peak between the “third quarter” to “new moon” phase. The intensity of the activity of adults and pups were analyzed across 6 weeks (April–May), wherein feeding, grooming, playing, and guarding significantly occurred between fourth and sixth weeks. The pups suckled every 8 h, and at about 3 weeks old, regurgitated food also became part of their diet. Jackal pups and adults spent an average of 103.60 and 36.13 min per day playing and guarding the burrows, respectively. Increased temperature with the day’s progression significantly reduced jackal’s activities and they retreated around 1200 h. Guarding of the burrows by adults significantly increased during night hours (0030–0500 h), when the pups are more susceptible to predation. Both the sexes participated in parental care activities, taking turns to guard the burrow, grooming, and playing with the pups. The study thus provides insights on the golden jackal’s natal site selection, observances, and use of sub-surface earthen refuges in semi-arid condition.