Daily activity levels of black‐backed jackalsCanis mesomeluswere determined in southern Africa through direct observation and radio‐tracking. Jackals have a bigeminus activity pattern that is closely paralleled by the activity levels of some of their most important prey. Although differences due to sex, age, study area and season of year were found, this activity pattern was most markedly influenced by light conditions during both the crepuscular and the nocturnal peri