Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

For meerkats, cooperation is the key to survival. Living in extended family groups called mobs, meerkats take turns as sentinels, or guards, on the lookout for danger. Upon spotting a predator, the sentinel sounds an alarm that sends the meerkats dashing to bolt holes, or burrow entrances, for safety.

Fact File

Length: Up to 1 ft
Weight: Up to 2 lbs
Lifespan: 10 yrs in wild
Habitat: Desert and savannah
Diet: Insects, lizards, scorpions, and other small animals

Group Effort:

Everyone pitches in to care for pups, taking turns as babysitter and teacher while the others focus on finding food.

Range:

Southern Africa