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Meerkat
a meerkat sentry on the lookout for predators
Author: Trisha M Shears, PD

Back to Animals for Kids

The Meerkat is a small mammal that is part of the mongoose family. Meerkats were made famous with the TV show Meerkat Manor from Animal Planet that followed several Meerkat families in the Kalahari Desert. The scientific name for Meerkat is suricata suricatta.

Where do Meerkats live?

Meerkats live in the African Kalahari desert in the countries of South Africa and Botswana. They dig large networks of underground tunnels where they stay during the night. These tunnels have multiple openings for escaping a predator.


Meerkat Sentry
Author: Mathias Appel, CC0
Do Meerkats live in a group?

Yes, they live in large family groups called clans, mobs, or gangs. The number of meerkats in a clan can vary in size. They typically have around 20 members, but sometimes grow to as many as 50 members. The clan works together to help each other out. One or two meerkats will look out for predators while others scavenge for food. If the lookouts spot a predator they will give a warning bark and the rest of the family will quickly escape into the underground burrow.

In each clan there is an alpha pair of meerkats that lead the group. The alpha pair typically reserves the right to mate and produce offspring. If others in the clan reproduce, then the alpha pair will usually kill the young and may kick the mother out of the clan.

The Mob's Territory

Each meerkat mob will have a territory which they mark off with their scent. It is usually around four square miles. They won't allow another group or mob of meerkats into their territory and will fight them, if needed. They move around within the territory each day in order to forage for food in different spots.

What do Meerkats eat?

Meerkats are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They mostly eat insects, but they will also eat lizards, snakes, eggs, and fruit. They can even eat some poisonous prey like scorpions as they are immune to their poison. Since they don't have a lot of body fat, meerkats need to eat every day to keep their energy up.

Why do they stand up so straight?

Generally the sentry, or lookout, will stand up straight on its hind legs using its tail to balance. This is so that it can get as high as possible to look for predators.

Fun Facts about Meerkats

Group of Meerkats
Author: Amada44, PD, via Wikimedia

For more about mammals:

Mammals
African Wild Dog
American Bison
Bactrian Camel
Blue Whale
Dolphins
Elephants
Giant Panda
Giraffes
Gorilla
Hippos
Horses
Meerkat
Polar Bears
Prairie Dog
Red Kangaroo
Red Wolf
Rhinoceros
Spotted Hyena

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