JACKAL (Turk. chakal)  , a name properly restricted to Canis aureus, a wolf-like wild member of the dog family inhabiting eastern Europe and southern Asia, but extended to include a number of allied species . Jackals resemble wolves and dogs in their dentition, the round eye-pupils, the period of gestation; and to a large extent also in habits . The European species grows to a height of 15 in. at the shoulders, and to a length of about 2 ft., exclusive of its bushy tail . Typically the fur is greyish-yellow, darker on the back and lighter beneath . The range of the common jackal (C. aureus) extends from Dalmatia to India, the species being represented by several local races . In Senegal this species is replaced by C. anthus, while in Egypt occurs the much larger C. lupaster, commonly known as the Egyptian wolf . Nearly allied to the last is the so-called Indian wolf (C. pallipes) . Other African species are the black-backed jackal (C. mesomelas),afford excellent sport . Jackals are readily tamed; and domesticated individuals are said, when called by their masters, to wag their tails, crouch and throw themselves on the ground, and otherwise behave in a dog-like fashion . The jackal, like the fox, has an offensive odour, due to the secretion of a gland at the base of the tail .