Mammals

Golden Jackal

Canis aureus · Șacal auriu

A medium-sized wild canid of lowlands and wetlands, known for its wailing group howls at night.

At a glance

Status in Romania: Resident
Habitat: Wetland / Meadow
Activity: Evening · Night
Diet: Omnivorous: small animals, carrion and fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Photography difficulty: Difficult

Identification

Smaller than a wolf, golden-grey coat, short tail with a dark tip.

Habitat

Reedbeds, scrub, farmland and wetland edges.

Approximate range in Romania

Dobrogea · Danube Delta · Danube valley and floodplain · Lowlands and plainsGeneral distribution only. This is not an occurrence map and does not show nesting or sensitive wildlife locations.

When it is active

Evening · Night

Diet

Omnivorous: small animals, carrion and fruit.

Behaviour

Lives in pairs or family groups; howls at dusk.

Seasonality in Romania

JanPresent
FebPresent
MarPresent
AprPresent
MayPresent
JunPresent
JulPresent
AugPresent
SepPresent
OctPresent
NovPresent
DecPresent

Existing monthly estimates are retained for reference, but have not yet been verified against a Romanian source and are excluded from seasonal filters. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.

How to find it

Listen for howling at dusk in lowland wetlands.

Photography

General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.

Difficulty: Difficult

Practical starting points, not fixed rules.