Meerkats

 

A meerkat, also known as a Suricatta is a small mammal and part of the mongoose family. Meerkats have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years in captivity and they are known for their up-right posture. There are three sub-species of meerkat and they are not a threatened species as there are an estimated 10,000 left in the wild.

 

 

Meerkats have light brown fur with a grey and brown tint on the stripes on their back. They eat plants and other animals (not of their own species), which makes them omnivores. Hawks, jackals and snakes are meerkats predators. The name for a young meerkat is a kit. A meerkat is 10 to 14 inches in length not including their tails because their tails are generally half as long as their bodies. The meerkat has a pointy snout used for poking into holes to grab food.

 

A meerkat can be located in Southern Africa in countries including Botswana, Namibia and Angola. They are natives of the Kalahari Desert. There is always a male meerkat watching out for danger. Meerkats live together in a large group called a mob or gang and usually all the meerkats are relatives. They share burrows with yellow mongooses, ground squirrels and occasionally snakes.

 

 

Meerkats can do many interesting things including digging through a large quantity of sand equal to its own weight in just seconds. Did you know meerkats can close their ears to keep dirt out. These animals can run t a speed of up to 37 miles per hour. They can communicate through vocal sounds to warn others of danger, they also have special hunting sounds.

 

 

By Bella M