Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
- Where
- Southern Africa: Kalahari Desert to Namibia
- Habitat
- Arid savannas and grasslands with rocky outcrops
- Diet
- Insects, small reptiles, eggs, fruits, vegetation
- Size
- Weight: 0.7-1.5 kg (1.5-3.3 lbs), Length: 30-45 cm (12-18 in)
- Lifespan
- Typically 10-15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity
- Conservation
- Listed as Least Concern but habitat loss and fragmentation pose ongoing threats
Fun Facts
- Meerkats are social animals living in groups of 2-50 individuals.
- They're expert diggers and create complex underground burrows.
- Only one meerkat stands sentry at a time - it's a job rotation!
Learn More
Meerkats have distinctive black and brown stripes on their backs.
Their large eyes are perfect for scanning the horizon.
They're agile climbers, often escaping predators by scampering up trees.