# Meerkat (*Suricata suricatta*) Meerkats are small, social animals that live in groups called mobs. They stand on their hind legs to look out for danger and are known for their playful nature. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** Meerkats, Suricate ![Meerkat](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426270/objects/376.jpg) ## Appearance The Meerkat has a slender body covered in sandy-brown to greyish fur with distinctive dark, horizontal stripes across its back. It features a pointed snout and large, dark patches around its eyes, making it easily recognizable from other small mongooses. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Herpestidae - **Genus:** Suricata ## Interesting facts - A group of meerkats is called a 'mob' or a 'gang,' sounds tough but they're cute! - Meerkats can seal their ears shut to keep out sand while digging their complex underground homes. - Their dark eye patches act like natural sunglasses, protecting their eyes from the harsh desert sun! - They use different alarm calls to warn about specific predators, like a bird or a snake. ## Special abilities - **Eagle Eye Lookout:** Meerkat has excellent vision that helps them spot predators from far away while standing guard. - **Super Digger:** Meerkat can dig rapidly using strong claws, which helps them create burrows and find buried food. - **Venomous Hunter:** Meerkat can expertly hunt venomous scorpions because of their natural immunity to many venoms. - **Teamwork Tactic:** Meerkat can work together to raise young and defend their colony, ensuring everyone's safety. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.6-1 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-8 - **Gestation:** 70-77 days ## Diet & Feeding Meerkats are opportunistic eaters, mostly munching on insects, but also small critters. - **Primary Foods:** insects, scorpions, lizards, snakes, birds, eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Tawny Eagle (*Aquila rapax*) — A common aerial predator of meerkats. - **Eaten by:** Black-backed Jackal (*Canis mesomelas*) — A ground predator that preys on meerkats. - **Eaten by:** [Cape Cobra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cape-cobra) (*Naja nivea*) — A snake predator, can enter meerkat burrows. - **Hunts:** Granulated Thick-tailed Scorpion (*Parabuthus granulatus*) — A favorite and commonly hunted prey item. - **Hunts:** Southern Harvester Termite (*Hodotermes mossambicus*) — A significant food source for meerkats. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Meerkats are wild animals and should be admired from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Meerkat? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Meerkat? 25-35 cm ### How much does Meerkat weigh? 0.6-1 kg ### How long does Meerkat live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Meerkat move? 30 km/h ### What does Meerkat eat? Meerkats are opportunistic eaters, mostly munching on insects, but also small critters. ### Where is Meerkat usually found? Savannas ### How does Meerkat hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Brevard Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brevard-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chattanooga-zoo-at-warner-park) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [Cotswold Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cotswold-wildlife-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [El Paso Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-paso-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Tulsa Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tulsa-zoo) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo [View all places to see Meerkat](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/meerkat) ## Watch - [Play video: Meerkat](https://www.snappit.app/videos/meerkat) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=8JRs9K4NHpU) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Meerkat: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meerkat)