Meerkats
Standing on their hind legs to keep watch, meerkats live in big families in the dry regions of southern Africa. Every member of the group has a role.
- Longitud
- 25–35 cm
- Peso
- 0,6–1 kg
- Esperanza de vida en libertad
- 5–10 años
- Estado de conservación (UICN)
- Preocupación menor (LC)
Las cifras son aproximadas para adultos y varían según el sexo, la subespecie y la población.
De un vistazo
Los datos clave sobre Suricatas.
- Where does it live?It lives in the dry and semi-arid regions of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and nearby areas such as the Kalahari and Namib, in open country with…
- What does it eat?Its main foods are insects, larvae, scorpions, spiders and millipedes.
- Behaviour and social lifeMeerkats live in large groups usually headed by a dominant female and male.
- YoungThe dominant female usually gives birth to most of the young.
En detalle
En resumen
- Meerkats live in groups called mobs or gangs of 20–50 individuals.
- While the group forages, some members stand guard and call out warnings.
- Their main food is insects and other small animals.
- They live in complex underground tunnel systems.
- The IUCN lists the meerkat as Least Concern.
The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a small mammal in the mongoose family. It is famous for standing up on its hind legs, using its tail for support, to scan its surroundings. The dark rings around its eyes help reduce glare from the sun.
Where does it live?
It lives in the dry and semi-arid regions of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and nearby areas such as the Kalahari and Namib, in open country with sparse vegetation.
What does it eat?
Its main foods are insects, larvae, scorpions, spiders and millipedes. It also eats small reptiles, bird eggs and some plant roots. Meerkats are known to be partly resistant to scorpion venom.
Behaviour and social life
Meerkats live in large groups usually headed by a dominant female and male. While the group forages, one or more individuals climb to a high point to keep watch; when they spot a bird of prey or a jackal, they give different alarm calls for different dangers. They spend the night and the hottest hours in underground tunnels.
Young
The dominant female usually gives birth to most of the young. Other group members babysit, protect the pups and bring them food. Adults teach pups step by step how to handle dangerous prey such as scorpions.
Conservation status
The meerkat is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. It is common where it lives; droughts can affect populations.
Fun facts
- The thin fur on a meerkat's belly helps it warm up in the morning sun.
- A sentry meerkat also makes calm calls that mean "all is well".
- Meerkats have been seen puffing up together to look bigger when facing predators.
Animales similares
Otros animales del mismo grupo.
Respeto por la naturaleza, mañanas más fuertes
Proteger la fauna silvestre es responsabilidad de todos.
Si encuentras un animal silvestre herido o una cría, no lo toques y avisa a la autoridad local de protección de la naturaleza. Más conocimiento, más conciencia.
- Respeta los hábitats naturales
- Observa a los animales desde lejos
- No dejes basura en la naturaleza
- Apoya un futuro sostenible
