Meerkats

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.