On the Asian mainland, the Sri Lankan jackal occurs in the whole southern part of the Indian peninsula, from Thana near Bombay in the northwest southwards through the Western Ghats, Mysore, the Eastern Ghats and Madura.

In Sri Lanka, they can attain slightly greater sizes than their mainland cousins.

Jackals in Sri Lanka, though classed as the same subspecies as those in southern India, have a rooted lobe on the inner side of the third upper premolar.

The underside is more pigmented on the chin, hind throat, chest and forebelly, while the limbs are rusty ochreous or rich tan.

Moulting occurs earlier in the season than with northern Indian jackals, and the pelt generally does not lighten in colour.