Meerkat
Name: MeerkatScientific Name: Suricata suricatta
Basic Information:
The meerkat is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. Meerkats are very social, and a group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang", or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains around 20 meerkats at a time, but some superfamilies have had 50 or more. Meerkats have an average life span of 12-14 years.
Meerkats are primarily insectivores, but also eat lizards, snakes, spiders, plants, eggs, sall mammals, and centipedes. They are partially immune to certain venoms, allowing them to also eat scorpions as well. They have no excess body fat stores, so foraging for food is a daily need. Meerkats forage in a group with one "sentry" on guard watching for predators while the others search for food. The meerkat standing guard makes peeping sounds when all is well. If the meerkat spots danger, it barks loudly or whistles.
Habitat Information:
Desert - Most people don't realize it, but desert environments still foster large amounts of life and biodiversity. Explore our desert habitat exhibits to truly appreciate the ways in which life has adapted itself for the shortage of moisture and extreme temperatures found in desert environments.
Meerkats at Windaroo:
The clan of meerkats at Windaroo Zoo are fun and playful. Come check them out along with our other animals.
Related Animals:
Beetle
Camel
Rattlesnake
Scorpion
A-Z Animal List