The golden jackal (Canis aureus), also known as the Eurasian golden jackal, common jackal, Asiatic jackal or reed wolf is a canid native to southeastern and central Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and South Asia. It is classified by the IUCN as least concern, due to its widespread range in areas with optimum food and shelter. It is a social species, the basic social unit of which consists of a breeding pair and any offspring it might have. The golden jackal is very adaptable, being able to exploit many foodstuffs, from fruit and insects to small ungulates. As of 2005, MSW3 recognises 13 subspecies, though genetic studies published in 2015 revealed that six supposed golden jackal subspecies living in Africa were members of a separate species, Canis anthus, reducing the number of actual