Observations on Sun Basking, Dust Bath Behavior of Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and other Canidae species

The Canidae family is represented in the Indian subcontinent by the Golden Jackal, Indian Wolf, Indian Fox,and Asiatic Wild dog. Amongst them probably the Jackal is most common, and inhabits different types of habitats. Jackal being omnivores in food habit feeds on variety of food like smaller animals and certain crops. This study was undertaken with the object to determine its sunbath, and dust bath behavior. Jackals occasionally resort to sun bath and dust bath, the purpose is to get rid of ectoparasites, control body temperature, control immunityto muscle performance. Similar behavior was observed inIndian Fox, Wild dogs and Hyena in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench TR, Guru Ghasidas TR for varying durations of 3 to 15 minutes.These species while sunbathing must have availed its benefits which was evident from their subsequent activities .The observations were visual and photographed wherever the opportunities offered.During this study we observed jackals, wild dogs, hyena and fox using this remedy of sunbath.