Meerkat

The meerkats are mammals of the mongoose family. They live in flocks and inhabit some of the most inhospitable areas of the planet. Although small (they measure 30 centimeters in height), they are brave animals and face even snakes. 

Order: Carnivora 

Family: Herpestidae 

Scientific name: Suricata suricatta 

Popular name: Suricato 

Name in English: Meerkat 

Height: 30 centimeters. The tail has an additional 20 centimeters and is used as support to balance the animal when it stands. 

Weight: 900 grams 

Activity: they are diurnal animals, which use their dark skin to warm up. 

Life cycle: 12 to 14 years

Where it is found: Southeast of Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. They live in dens divided with squirrels and other mongooses. The flocks change several times a year when food becomes scarce. Once housed, they are territorial animals and fiercely defend their burrows of rival gangs. 

Main predators: eagles and jackals. 

Defense: the meerkats are divided in the task of patrolling the burrows. One group is always on guard while others sleep or seek food. 

What they eat: scorpions (are immune to their venom), beetles, spiders, centipedes, myriapods, earthworms, crickets, small mammals, small reptiles, birds, eggs, tubers and roots.

Procreation: The male and female leading the group have the majority of the offspring. Two to five pups are born per litter. In nature, mating takes place between October and April (in captivity, all year round). 

Growth: Several adults in the flock take turns caring for the baby while the mothers feed. Small meerkats reach sexual maturity at one year of age.

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