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The Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)

The scientific name 'suricata' means slender tailed. The term, MeerKat comes from the Africans which means 'lake cat.' A strange name for a creature that spends most of its life on the dry plains of the South African deserts. Although they live in such dry places, they are known to be very fond of water.

They are highly social animals who live in large groups numbering anywhere up to 15 individuals. Several families often live together in each group and work as part of a team to dig burrows, hunt and attack prey. Despite their social grouping habits, the Meerkat can be a very territorial animal, often showing remorseless aggression to others invading their territory.

They are omnivorous creatures, so will eat a wide variety of foods from insects, eggs and plants to small reptiles and scorpions. Meerkats are immune to the sting of a scorpion and, when especially hungry are known to bite off the tail and devour the animal. As a pre-emptive measure, groups of Meerkats have also been seen attacking poisonous snakes such as the cobra. It is rare for the Meerkat to kill the snake, their aim is simply to drive them away so as not to meet them in the burrows where the Meerkat itself is likely to fall prey to the reptile.

Meerkats are perhaps most famous for the way they stand to attention on their rear legs. This is an act of 'sunbathing', a ritual carried out most mornings before foraging for food. Another distinctive characteristic is always having at least one animal on lookout duty. This 'sentry' can be seen perching on a rock, bush or other vantage point ready to alert the rest of the group of any danger.

Being such a small animal, the Meerkat is prey to a range of predators from eagles to jackals and cape foxes to snakes. Mostly, it is only animals cut off from the rest of the group who are likely to be attacked. If the group is attacked, they have a skill whereby they join together and fluff up their fur in an attempt to fool the enemy. This gives the impression of a single, large animal and can distract the predator for long enough to escape to the safety of their burrow.

Meerkats at Chester Zoo

Average weight of adult male: 0.6 - 0.8 kg

Average weight of adult female: 0.6 - 1.0 kg

Average height of adult: 25-30 cm

Number of Kittens: 2 - 5

Pregnancy: 11 weeks

Life Span: 10 - 15 years

Amazing Animal Fact

The Meerkat can dig as much dirt as its own body weight in just a few seconds!