Meerkat
The Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a small carnivore native to the deserts and grasslands of Southern Africa. It is a member of the mongoose family.
Meerkats are highly social animals that live in large groups called "mobs." They are famous for their cooperative nature, with different individuals taking turns standing on sentry duty, watching for predators while the others forage for food.
Meerkats are Omnivore, eating a variety of insects, scorpions, and small reptiles. They are a beloved and iconic species, known for their charming and curious nature.
Meerkat
Classification
Mammalia > Carnivora > Herpestidae > Suricata > S. suricatta
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
10 - 12 inches
(25 - 30 cm)
Average Weight
1.5 - 2 lbs
(0.7 - 0.9 kg)
Average Life Span
10 - 12 years
Gestation Period
70 - 77 days
Did You Know?
The Meerkat is a small mongoose native to Southern Africa.
They live in large groups called "mobs" or "gangs" and are highly social animals.
Meerkats are known for their upright sentry duty, where one stands guard while others forage for food.
Their diet primarily consists of insects, but they also eat small reptiles, birds, and eggs.
Meerkats have dark patches around their eyes that act like built-in sunglasses, reducing glare from the sun.
They dig extensive burrow systems to live in, which protect them from predators and extreme temperatures.
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