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meerkat.gif (2606 bytes)

Enjoy learning about the Meerkat! To jump to a section, use the Quick Jump below by clicking on the section name.

Size
Length: head to tail: 20 inches
Weight: 2 pounds

A Meerkat waiting for lunch at the Melbourne Zoo.
(Click for full size)

Habitat and Habits
-southern plains of Africa
-avoids woodlands
-burrows:
-digs at night
-burrows about 10 ft.
-sometimes shares with ground squirrel and yellow mongoose
-in rocky ground, they will make a den in the crevices between rocks
-very sociable
-colonies from 2-12
-certain Meerkats will be the lookout for predators for the colony
-bark when danger
-better at scaring away predators when in groups

Meerkat on rocky ground were he may make a den in a crevice.
Click for full size.

Food and Feeding
-insects, spiders, snails
-also rodents, ground nesting birds and their eggs, lizards, certain bulbs and roots
-tackle dangerous prey such as scorpions and snakes
-relies on good sense of smell
-tears prey open before sharing food

Another Meerkat at the Melbourne Zoo waiting for his breakfast which is fruit salad.
(Click for full size)

Links for More Information
-Happy Hollow Meerkat Facts
-Meerkat.org