Diet composition of the golden jackal <i>Canis aureus</i> in south?east Europe – a review

The golden jackal Canis aureus is spreading throughout Europe and settling in countries where it has never been found before. Understanding its trophic ecology increasingly important as colonises new areas ecosystems. This paper aims to review the diet studies that have performed on provide a complete overview of food intake, feeding behaviour strategy. Golden jackals were eat mainly small mammals (54% biomass), followed by domestic animals, ungulates plants; together, these items make up 90% jackal’s diet. Birds lagomorphs also often Domestic animals primarily consumed carcasses, not hunted or killed jackals. composition differs greatly between seasons, which points towards highly adaptive opportunistic omnivore, demonstrates ability use many available resources. provides regulating maintenance ecosystem services scavenger consumer crop pests.