The golden jackal is a fast, efficient hunter over grasslands and bush. It is also a caring and protective parent, maintaining strong family bonds. The golden jackal is the most widespread of the four species of jackal. It is found from northeast Africa to Burma. In some parts of its range it lives in the same areas as other jackal species. Egyptian God: The Ancient Egyptian god of embalming and burial, Anubis, was depicted as a man with a jackal's head. The presence of jackals around abattoirs and funeral grounds gave rise to the association between jackals and the dead.