Meerkat

Where can I see the Meerkat

Photo credit
Loris-oberlander
,

A Meerkat is a cute little furry mammal which lives in the desert. They are very social and live with their family in large groups called mobs, or gangs. Meerkats enjoy the company of other meerkats so much that they will even raise each other's babies if one of them dies!

Meerkat families usually consist of one dominant pair - this is the only pair to breed. The number two in command takes care of all the baby meerkats when mum and dad go out looking for food. The rest of the mob helps take care of everybody else in the group. These helpers babysit, keeping an eye on all the newborns whilst their parents are off hunting for scorpions, lizards, snakes and insects.

Meerkats are known for standing up on their hind legs and digging to create extensive tunnel systems. These are used not only as homes but also as storage places for food, water and even scorpions which they like to eat!

A Meerkat's tail acts as a balance when they're climbing or running around in their tunnels. Their tails act like rudders that help them steer when they swim too!

Animal population
500,000
Population
IUCN Classification
Least Concern (LC)
IUCN Classification
Best time to see the Meerkat
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Perfect
Good
Tolerable
Awful

Geeky Facts about the Meerkat

Fact 1

Meerkats are immune to venom.

Fact 2

These extremely social animals live together in burrows, which they dig with their long, sharp claws.

Fact 3

Meerkats are extroverted and quite chatty with at least 10 different vocalizations,

Tours where I can see the Meerkat

No items found.

Stories about the Meerkat

No items found.

Areas of Natural Beauty where you can see the Meerkat in the wild

Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining