CreatureData

Golden jackal vs Wolf

The wolf is heavier: 32.2 kg against 10.4 kg for the golden jackal, about 3.1 times the weight.

Golden jackal (Canis aureus)
Golden jackal LCLeast Concern
Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wolf (Canis lupus)
Wolf LCLeast Concern
Photo: User:Mas3cf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a golden jackal and a wolf?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The wolf is heavier: 32.2 kg against 10.4 kg for the golden jackal, about 3.1 times the weight.
  • The wolf is longer-lived: 20 years against 16 years for the golden jackal, about 25% longer.
  • Both belong to the genus Canis, so they are close relatives.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Side by side

Golden jackalWolf
Scientific nameCanis aureusCanis lupus
FamilyCanidaeCanidae
OrderCarnivoraCarnivora
Weight10 kg – 11 kg21 kg – 32.2 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan16 years20 years
Main foodNot recordedapple, arvicolinae, berry, bird, bison, carrion and 30 more
Habitatforest, grasslandNot recorded
Conservation statusLeast ConcernLeast Concern
Countries recordedNot recorded1

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: Golden jackalFull record: WolfCompare other animals