A Black-Backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) from the Wildlife World Zoo. I squealed excitedly when I first got to see these little guys. Working on my book this was the first time I'd see this species in person and I was giddy. They were a little smaller than I expected, and they are super adorable, though very skittish (which is not at all surprising.) The Black-backed Jackal is a very ancient species, being the most basal of the canines.