Black-backed jackal vs Smooth hound

Canis mesomelas compared with Triakis maculata

Key Differences

• Black-backed jackal is Least Concern while Smooth hound is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black-backed jackal	Smooth hound
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)
Family	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)	Triakidae
Genus	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)	Triakis
Species	Canis mesomelas	Triakis maculata

Evolutionary Relationship

Black-backed jackal and Smooth hound share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Black-backed jackal

LC — Least Concern

Smooth hound

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black-backed jackal	Smooth hound
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black-backed jackal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Smooth hound

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate grasslands and steppes, and montane grasslands and shrublands, among 5 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm.

Range

Found in Chile. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Black-backed jackal

The Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) is a species in the genus Canis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.