Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

Irish Name: Míorchat
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Meerkats are a member of the mongoose family. They have tan and grey coats with dark brown patches around their eyes and at the tip of their tails. They live in underground burrows in large groups called a gang or a mob.

Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

Irish Name: Míorchat
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Meerkats are a member of the mongoose family. They have tan and grey coats with dark brown patches around their eyes and at the tip of their tails. They live in underground burrows in large groups called a gang or a mob.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Meerkats live in deserts, savannas and grasslands in southern Africa.

How long do they live?

Meerkats can live for around 12-15 years.

What do they eat?

Meerkats are mainly insectivores (feed on insects, worms and other invertebrates). They also eat scorpions, reptiles and birds.

Group name

Family groups are called gangs or mobs.

Zoo location

Inside the Meerkat Restaurant

Closest related species / sister species

The closest relatives of the meerkat are other members of the mongoose family such as the dwarf mongoose.

Animal class

Mammalia

Animal order

Carnivora

Fun facts

Desert dwellers

Meerkats are well adapted to living in the harsh desert environment. They get all the moisture they need from the insects and grubs they eat. They have dark patches around their eyes. These patches cut down on glare from the sun. They also have a special covering on their eyes that protects them from dirt and dust while they are digging their burrows .

Nose to the ground

Meerkats have very sensitive noses that are adept at turning over soil and sniffing out food.

Toxic tastes

Meerkats have a daring diet that includes venomous scorpions and snakes.

Sentry Duty

Adult meerkats take turns acting as a guard, keeping an eye out for predators while the others look for food. The meerkat ‘guard’ climbs to the highest point they can find, stands upright on two legs, and then announces the beginning of guard duty with a specialized call. If a predator is spotted, the guard alerts the others with a bark or whistle so that they can then run to their burrows for safety.

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Family Life

Meerkats are highly social. They live in big groups of up to 30 individuals consisting of a number of smaller family groups. Each family group includes a breeding pair and their offspring. Pups are born in a burrow, where they are cared for by the whole group. Adult males usually leave the group they were born in and attempt to join or take over another group. Females stay closer to their family group.

Baby name

Pup

Gestation (pregnancy) period

10-11 weeks

Number of young at birth

Meerkats can have anywhere between 1-8 pups at birth, but usually have 3-4 pups.

Weight at birth

Approximately 30 g

Age at maturity

1-2 years old

Size adult

Adult meerkats weigh just under 1 kg. Their body length is approximately 30 cm and their tail is approximately 20cm long.

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Conservation

Least Concern

The meerkat is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Current population estimate

Unknown, but thought to be stable.

Threats

There are no major threats to the species.

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FAQs

  • What do meerkats eat?

    Meerkats are mainly insectivores (feed on insects, worms and other invertebrates). They also eat scorpions, reptiles and birds.

  • Are meerkats rodents?

    Meerkats are not rodents.  They are members of the animal order Carnivora.

  • How long do meerkats live?

    Meerkats live for around 12-15 years.

  • What sound does a meerkat make?

    Meerkats have a distinctive bark; they also growl, hiss and make a peeping sound.

  • Are meerkats endangered animals?

    According to the IUCN, meerkats are not currently endangered; they are classified as of Least Concern.

  • How do meerkats adapt to the desert?

    Meerkats get all the moisture they need from the insects and grubs they eat. They have dark patches around their eyes. These patches  cut down on glare from the sun. They have a special covering on their eyes that protects them from dirt and dust while they are digging their burrows.

  • How do meerkats protect themselves?

    Adult meerkats take shifts as sentinels, watching out for predators and warning the others if a predator is nearby. Meerkats also have very sharp claws and can move very quickly.

  • What are the meerkat's predators?

    The meerkat’s predators include larger carnivores such as hyenas and jackals, and birds of prey such as eagles and hawks.

  • Are meerkats nocturnal?

    Meerkats are not nocturnal; they are diunal. This means they are active during the daytime.

  • Are meerkats intelligent?

    Research has shown that meerkats display complex social interactions; these interactions demonstrate intelligence.

  • Can meerkats climb trees?

    Meerkats have been observed using their long, sharp claws to climb trees.

  • How do meerkats hunt for food?

    Meerkats hunt for food by foraging in groups. They locate their food using their sense of smell and then dig it up.

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