Least Concern Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
Also known as: Suricate
Meerkats are small carnivores belonging to the mongoose family, inhabiting the harsh deserts and grasslands of southern Africa. They are highly social animals that live in complex underground burrows known as clans or mobs. To ensure the safety of the group while foraging, one meerkat will always stand on 'sentry duty' at a high vantage point, scanning the horizon for predators like eagles and jackals.
Did you know?
Meerkats have developed an immunity to the venom of some scorpions, allowing them to eat these dangerous creatures safely. Quick Facts
Detailed Information on the Meerkat
Weight
0.77 kg
Height
28 cm
Length
28 cm
Top Speed
32
km/h
Social Structure:
Clans/Groups
Activity Pattern:
Diurnal
Trophic Level: Omnivore
Migration: Resident
Population Trend: Stable
Main Threats:
- Predation
- Climate change (droughts)
Kalahari Desert (Botswana)
Namib Desert
Family: Herpestidae
Order: Carnivora
