How meerkats live. Meerkats: how do solar angels live? (12 photos)

Meerkat- a small predator from the mongoose family. An inhabitant of the savanna and desert regions in southern Africa. Lives in family groups of about 20 individuals.

The name meerkat is derived from the system name of the species Suricata suricatta. In Russian, the use of this name in the feminine gender is allowed: meerkat. The second name of the animal is used: thin-tailed myrkat. This variant corresponds to the Afrikaans name.

Meerkats have a very unusual nickname. The history of its appearance is associated with the love of animals to stand in a column. If the tousled coat is highlighted by the sun, a semblance of an areola is created around the body. Because of which they are called solar angels.

Description and features

The proportional body of the animals is equipped with high legs with four-toed feet and a long, thin tail. Meerkats have strong claws on their front paws. They serve for digging holes, and getting insects from the ground.

An adult animal weighs from 600 to 1200 grams. The body is approximately 30 cm long. It is covered with coarse fur, dyed gray with the addition of mustard, red or brown tones. Fuzzy transverse stripes run along the back. On the legs and belly, the fur is sparse and lighter in color.

Dark contours around the eyes visually increase the already not small organs of vision. Large eyes in nature often play a frightening, intimidating role. Meerkat sees well, prone to farsightedness. The eyes are aided by a keen sense of smell and good hearing.

The auricles are small, crescent-shaped. They are painted black and are located at eye level. A distinctive feature is the ability to close the auditory canals. This saves the ears from getting sand and earth when digging holes.

The muzzle of meerkats tapers to a soft, brown nose. This organ provides a very subtle sense of smell. And it, in turn, allows you to smell potential food underground at a depth of up to 20-30 centimeters.

Mouth of medium size. Equipped with numerous sharp teeth. Their set includes all the prescribed species: incisors and fangs, which a predator cannot do without, as well as premolars and molars.

The general configuration of physiognomic features gives the impression that animal meerkat it is a curious and cunning creature. This feeling is enhanced by the duty manner of stretching out in a column and carefully observing the surrounding space.

Meerkats have a tail up to 25 centimeters long. It looks thin due to the lack of fur decoration. Meerkats often stand on their hind legs, the tail helps to maintain an upright position.

During martial arts with a snake, it acts as a decoy. A black spot on the tip of the tail helps to divert the attention of the reptile. In addition, it works like a signal flag. Assists in the organization of collective actions, movements.

Meerkats move based on all four paws. The speed of movement reaches 30 km / h. Paws allow not only to run, but also to stand. Given that elevations are chosen for guard positions, the total growth of the meerkat allows you to view the savannah or desert right up to the horizon.

If the hind legs make it possible to be in an upright position, the front ones are involved in digging. On all paws, the meerkat has 4 claws. But on the front they are longer and more powerful. They reach 2 cm in length, bent like the teeth of an earth-moving machine.

This is not a military weapon, but a working tool. With the help of claws, in one minute a meerkat can dig a hole that fits it entirely. Or, when searching for food, bring soil several times larger than its own weight to the surface.

Kinds

Meerkats do not differ in species diversity. They belong to the mongoose or Herpestidae family. Formed one monotypic genus Suricata. It consists of one species Suricata suricatta. In this species, scientists have identified three subspecies.

• South African meerkat. A resident of southern Namibia and Botswana, found in South Africa.
• Angolan meerkat. The homeland of this animal is southwestern Angola.
• Desert meerkat. An inhabitant of the Namib Desert, central and northwestern Namibia.

Differences between subspecies are small. Only a specialist in fur color can determine which subspecies it belongs to. meerkat in the photo. Angolan meerkat is bright red. The desert meerkat is painted in lighter colors: yellow, mustard. The inhabitants of southern Africa are brown.

Lifestyle and habitat

Meerkats are small burrowing animals. They dig not single holes, but entire networks with several entrances and exits. Dwellings are used for a night stay, shelter during the day from the heat, salvation from predators, and the birth of offspring.

The meerkat group is a social association with complex internal connections. Usually has 10-20 individuals. But there may be numerical deviations in one direction or another. The minimum number is 3-4 individuals. Sometimes there are large families with fifty members. The largest observed family consisted of 63 animals.

The most noticeable organizational technique is the constant security activity. Several meerkats act as observers. The watchmen stretch out in columns and look around the surrounding space, not forgetting the sky.

When a bird of prey or a ground enemy appears, sentries give a signal. The whole family rushes to the underground dwelling. Several entrances to the system of holes and shelters allow for an evacuation very quickly. After some time, the first watchman appears from the hole. In the absence of threats, the entire group returns to the surface.

About meerkats it is true that the unifying force of any team is the exchange of messages. The role of the most obvious signaling device is played by the tail. A special place is occupied by sound signals - very informative means of communication.

The researchers counted about thirty different sounds, or, as scientists say, words. Words are combined into phrases. That is, the cry of a meerkat can be polysyllabic.

Sound messages have a very specific meaning. For example, the call of a sentry can inform the family not only about the approach of a predator, but about its type and degree of danger.

Animals react differently to the cries of watchmen. If a ground enemy is picked up, the meerkats hide in burrows, but may simply group around the cubs. When threatened from the air, meerkats squat down and begin to peer into the sky, or immediately retreat to the shelter.

The behavior depends on the sentinel signal, which contains three gradations of the degree of danger: high, medium and low.

The actions of the family are led by the alpha couple. It is dominated by the female. That is, matriarchy dominates the meerkat community. Which is not uncommon in packs of predators. The main female has the privilege of bearing offspring. The duty is to manage relationships within the family and guide the actions of the clan in the event of conflicts with neighboring groups of animals.

The meerkat clan controls an area of ​​about three to four square kilometers. Constantly makes sure that neighboring families do not violate borders. But the world is not eternal. You have to repel attacks or conquer new territories. Combat actions are very cruel, bloody. Numerical superiority and experience of the alpha female wins.

Nutrition

The main source of nutrients for slender-tailed myrcats are insects. But reptiles, lizards and snakes, attract no less attention of these predators. Eggs, whoever lays them, are eaten not only by meerkats, but also by all predatory and omnivorous animals. Despite their carnivorous nature, mongoose relatives eat some plants and fungi. For example, truffles of the Kalahari desert.

At the age of one month, young meerkats begin to feed on their own. In the process of growing up, the rules of hunting are assimilated. Puppies need to learn how to deal with poisonous creatures. There are quite a few of them in the diet of animals. Not all poisons are immune to meerkats.

In addition, the young learn to interact with other members of the group. The process of mutual learning and mutual assistance lasts as long as how long do meerkats live. Foraging is a complex collective action. While some are digging food out of the ground, others are watching what is happening around.

Reproduction and lifespan

At any time of the year, meerkats that have reached the age of two are physiologically ready for procreation. But there is one important condition: the animals must belong to the alpha pair.

There is no courtship process and mating games. The male pursues the female until the desired result is obtained. Pregnancy ends after 11 weeks. The family burrow serves as a maternity hospital. The babies are born helpless.

Ordinary females take part in the upbringing and feeding of the new generation, they may open lactation. Females who have violated the laws and brought offspring against the rules of the pack are also connected to feeding.

After 10 days from the moment of birth, puppies begin to hear, at the age of two weeks their eyes open. Adolescents who are one month old begin to forage for food on their own. Meerkats become independent 50-60 days after birth.

All members of the flock are aware of the right to breed only alpha pairs. Ordinary females can break the ban and bring offspring. Most often, the alpha couple kills such babies. But sometimes illegitimate puppies can stay in the pack and even team up with the cubs of the alpha pair.

Adult taboo breakers sometimes stay, but more often they are expelled from the family. The expelled females are joined by males who want to change their social status and start a full-blooded life. As a result, a new family is formed, the first task of which is to dig a shelter.

Meerkats have a peculiarity: they determine kinship by smell. This avoids inbreeding (inbreeding), and as a result, reduces the likelihood of recessive mutations. Meerkats do not live long. The numbers are from 3 to 8 years. In zoos and comfortable home conditions, the life span of an animal increases to 10-12 years.

Meerkat at home

Africans have been domesticating meerkats since ancient times. At the same time, they pursue clear goals. Meerkats protect homes from scorpions, other poisonous spiders and snakes. In addition, Africans inclined towards mysticism believe that the souls of the dead are infused in these little predators.

Thin-tailed myrkats, they are also meerkats, have good contact with people and end up in the huts of local residents with something like a cat. With one difference: a cat easily endures loneliness, a meerkat dies without company.

There are no scorpions and snakes in urban dwellings. There are other prerequisites for keeping meerkats. The nature of these animals exudes optimism. Playfulness does not go beyond the reasonable. Willingness to communicate, the ability to be affectionate have a psychotherapeutic effect. That's why meerkats at home began to appear more frequently.

Meerkats do almost no harm that is typical for young dogs and cats. They do not tear shoes, do not climb curtains, do not sharpen their claws on upholstered furniture, and so on. Their achievements in this area, despite the inherent playfulness, are quite small.

For these animals, the problem of loneliness is very acute. The owners, of course, can keep them company. But it is better when there is a cat or a dog in the house. With them, as with people, meerkats get along well.

You can buy a single pair. In this version, the meerkat will always have a friend or girlfriend, and the owner will not have problems with the birth of unplanned cubs.

Funny meerkats playful and non-aggressive, families with children suit them. Out of caution, these animals should not be kept in families with preschool children. Toys, similar to those of cats, greatly diversify the life of fine-tailed myrcats.

In an apartment, a house where meerkats are bred, there is no need to build fences, aviaries and cages. It is enough to have a cat house and a tray. At first, the animal may hide in a corner. But over time, the stress passes and the gradual development of the territory begins.

Meerkats do not mark corners. More precisely, they rub with a special gland against objects that mark the boundaries of their site. But the secretions of this gland are invisible, and the smell is not noticeable. The meerkat's tray is no less fragrant than that of a cat. This will have to be dealt with.

Accustoming to a careful visit to the tray is no more difficult than for other pets. The kid, at first, crap, anywhere. The products of his vital activity are collected and placed in a tray.

The author of puddles and heaps is also transported there. Soon enough, the animal understands what is wanted from it. Once done right, once and for all establishes order in this matter. Meerkats are quite constant in their habits. Especially if these habits are reinforced with something tasty.

There is one caveat in toilet matters. Meerkats never leave their shelter at night. This happens in nature, the same is repeated at home. Therefore, in the morning, it may be necessary to replace the wet bedding in the meerkat's house, especially the young one.

meerkat price

At the end of the 20th century meerkat price was about $2000. Exotics don't come cheap. Now you can buy this animal for $500. But the main thing is not financial costs. It is necessary to correctly calculate how comfortable the animal will feel in a city dwelling. Wouldn't he be lonely?

Additional expenses are added to the acquisition costs. For equipment, food, medical care. That is, in addition to joy and tenderness, the owner will have to show a sense of responsibility.

Features and habitat of the meerkat

Meerkat(from the Latin Suricata suricatta) or thin-tailed myrkat is a medium-sized mammal from the order of predators of the mongoose family.

It is the smallest animal of the entire mongoose family, which has 35 species. The length of their body rarely reaches 35 centimeters, with a weight of up to 750 grams. The red tail with a black tip is quite long for such body proportions - up to 20-25 cm.

The head is small with rounded ears sticking out at the crown, dark brown, and sometimes even black. The eye sockets also have a dark color in relation to the rest of the body, resembling glasses, which makes meerkats are pretty funny.

The color of soft long hair on the carcass of this predator is reddish-gray, sometimes closer to orange. It has four limbs of small size, front paws with rather long claws. Like all mongooses, meerkats can secrete a foul-smelling secret from the inguinal glands.

Scientists divide these animals into three subspecies:

Suricata suricatta suricatta

Suricata suricatta marjoriae

Suricata suricatta iona

Habitat animal meerkats distributed on the African continent south of the equator. They live in a hot and dry climate in the deserts and adjacent territories.

The nature and lifestyle of the meerkat

Meerkats are diurnal animals, at night they take refuge in dug deep holes. Burrows, most often, they dig themselves, and the depth of the hole is always at least one and a half meters. Less often, existing minks are occupied by equipping them for themselves.

In rocky, hilly or mountainous areas, they live in crevices and caves. During the day, these mammals spend in search of food, digging new or arranging old holes, or simply basking in the sun, which they love to do.

Meerkats are social animals, they always gather in colonies, the average number of which is 25-30 individuals, there were also larger associations, in which there were up to 60 mammals.

In general, in nature, it is rare that predators lead a colonial life, perhaps, except for meerkats, only lions that have associations in the form of prides can boast of this way of life. There is always a leader in a meerkat colony, and, interestingly enough, this leader is always a female, thus matriarchy dominates in these animals.

These predators often hunt in groups and at the same time clearly distribute the responsibilities of each. Some members of the group stand on their hind legs in search of prey, it should be noted that meerkats can be in a standing guard position for a long time, while others catch up with prey, which the former indicate through a kind of vocal cry.

Having an elongated body, in a guard posture, these animals look very funny standing on their hind legs, and lowering their front legs down. this comical picture of a meerkat for the most part, photographers try to catch to get a great shot.

In addition, meerkats are very caring animals, they care not only for their offspring, but also for the offspring of other families living with them in the colony. In cold times, you can see a group of meerkats that have huddled together to warm each other with their bodies, this can be easily seen on numerous photo of meerkats in the Internet.

Meerkats, like all mongooses, are famous for hunting snakes, including poisonous ones. It is erroneously believed that these animals are immune from snake venom. If a snake, for example, a cobra, bites a meerkat, then it will die, just the dexterity of the animal is such that very rarely creeping reptiles manage to do this.

In recent years, funny little predators have become such notoriety that in 2012, Australian cinema released a six-part documentary. about meerkats called "Meerkats".

Big Life of Little Creatures (original title Kalahari Meerkats). In other countries, filmmakers and scientists also do not lag behind the Australians, and therefore a lot of films have been filmed around the world. meerkat video.

Meerkat nutrition

The diet of meerkats is not very rich, because a small number of fauna representatives live in their habitats. They mainly eat various insects, their larvae, bird eggs, spiders, scorpions, lizards and snakes.

Having entered into battle with a scorpion, the meerkat first deftly bites off its tail, which contains poison, and then kills the scorpion itself, thereby protecting itself from poison.

These predators are looking for food not far from their burrow, that is, the food search circle rarely goes beyond a radius of two to three kilometers. Given the habitat of meerkats in an arid climate, they do not suffer from a lack of fluid at all, they have enough of it as part of the animal food that goes to subsistence.

Reproduction and life expectancy of a meerkat

Readiness for fertilization in female meerkats is achieved by the year of life. They do not have a specific season for conception; these animals breed all year round. In a year, a female can give birth to up to three or four offspring.

Pregnancy in the female lasts about two months, after which small blind animals appear in the mink. Tiny newborn babies weigh only 25-40 grams. The number of cubs in a litter is usually 4-5, less often 7 individuals are born.

Two weeks after birth, babies begin to open their eyes and gradually learn to live independently. For the first two months of their lives, they are milk-fed, and only after that they begin to try to eat small insects, which are first brought to them by their parents or other adults of their family (brothers and sisters).

An interesting fact is that only one female leader can bring offspring in the family, if other females become pregnant and bring a brood, then the dominant female kicks them out of her family and thus has to build her own.

In their usual wild habitat, these animals live on average for about five years. Large predators, especially birds, for which this small animal is a tasty morsel, have a great influence on the meerkat population. in zoos and meerkats at home live longer - up to 10-12 years.

In one of the beliefs of the African population, it is said that meerkats protect the population and livestock from some kind of lunar werewolf devils, so the locals with great pleasure start meerkats as pets animals.

Although these mammals are predators, they quickly and easily get used to humans and the conditions of home food and living. In addition, these animals bring real benefits to man, clearing the territory of his dwelling and lands for cultivation from poisonous scorpions and snakes.

Therefore, to get drunk meerkat in Africa is not difficult, any seller of animals will be able to offer a dozen individuals to choose from. This is what zookeepers often do, including in our country. After all meerkat price rather insignificant due to the fact that they do not have valuable fur and people do not eat them.

Meerkats are an interesting species of mammals living in South Africa. They are burrowing animals.

Species: Meerkat

Genus: Meerkats

Family: Mongoose

Class: Mammals

Order: Carnivores

Type: Chordates

Kingdom: Animals

Domain: Eukaryotes

meerkat anatomy

Body length: 25 to 35 cm. Tail length: 17 to 25 cm.

Weight: up to 750 gr.

The meerkat is a rather small representative of the mongoose. The coat color of this mammal is orange-brown. The fur is quite long and fluffy, and the fur on the belly and chest is short. It has a pattern of black stripes on the body. The head is light, the ears are black, the tail is yellow with a black tip. On the front paws are long and strong nails.

Where does the meerkat live?

The animal meerkat is distributed only on the mainland Africa, in its southern part. Mainly near the Kalahari Desert. They choose to live in open areas without trees and with solid soil.

What does a meerkat eat?

Meerkats are predators. Their diet consists of insects, arachnids, reptiles, bird eggs and plants. With pleasure they eat scorpions, lizards, snakes, centipedes, centipedes, and sometimes even small birds. Meerkats are resistant to snake and scorpion venom. This does not mean that they cannot be killed by a scorpion sting, but most often they are saved by agility and reaction.

Meerkat lifestyle

Meerkats are burrowing animals. Their long claws on their front feet help them dig the rather deep burrows in which they live. Burrows can reach a depth of 1.5 m or more, while they can have several entrances. Meerkats can burrow themselves, or they can occupy the burrows of the African ground squirrel. These animals are diurnal. On sunny days, they like to bask in the sun, while they can take the most bizarre poses. They can stand on their hind legs for a long time. They tend to change their homes frequently.

Meerkats live in colonies. In a colony, there may be several dozen animals, which include family groups. The family group includes parents and their offspring. At the same time, family groups can fight among themselves for territories. These animals are considered bloodthirsty due to the fact that many individuals die in a fight among themselves.

Video about meerkats:

Meerkats are matriarchy. The female is the main one and may even be larger than the male. There is a whole range of sounds that meerkats use to communicate with each other. The animal meerkat even has its own daily routine. At dawn, the meerkats emerge from their burrow and begin clearing sand passages. When some meerkats dig the ground, other meerkats stand guard. Then they start hunting. In the hottest time, they can hide in the shade, and then start hunting again. An hour before sunset, they again hide in their holes.

meerkat breeding

An interesting fact is that only the dominant female can bring offspring in the family. If another female becomes pregnant, then the dominant female meerkat can kick her out of the family, and even kill the cubs. Meerkats reach puberty by 1 year of age. In a year, a female can bring up to 4 litters, each of which has up to 7 cubs.

Meerkat cubs are born completely helpless weighing approximately 30 grams. The first three weeks they do not leave the hole. Mother's milk is fed for about 2 months.

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Meerkats (Suricata suricata) are close relatives of mongooses. These cute animals live in the Kalahari and Namib deserts, as well as in other regions of South Africa. The body length of the meerkat is 25-35 cm, the tail is 18-25 cm. The head and belly of the animal are very light, and the ears and tip of the tail are black. The rest of the body is gray or reddish in color. Slender thin limbs, an elongated head and dark spots around the eyes give the meerkat a comically touching look. He has not very thick, but rather long hair. Because of her, the meerkat seems to be more overweight than it actually is - the weight of this permanently disheveled creature barely reaches 2 kg.

Meerkats live in colonies with no more than 30 individuals. Meerkat colonies live in deep, branched burrows. Sometimes they dig them on their own, and sometimes they simply take the shelter of another animal (for example, an earthen squirrel). Having developed communicative instincts, these animals negotiate among themselves through vocal signals. According to scientists, there are at least 10 combinations in their sound range.

These funny animals have a habit of being on duty at the entrances to the hole. No wonder the locals call them "sentinels of the desert." Having folded its front paws on its stomach, and slightly leaning on its tail, the “duty” meerkat vigilantly looks out for danger. In the event of an emergency, he instantly dives into the hole, notifying his relatives with a sharp whistle. meerkats have excellent eyesight and sense of smell, they are good at running, jumping and climbing trees and rocks.

Today, these touching kids are successfully kept in city apartments and country houses: they are perfectly tamed and can please the whole family for many years. There are two options for meerkats to stay with us:

1. Enclosure, when a special enclosure is built for a pet or a separate area is allocated, where conditions close to natural are created for them,

2. The animal lives with a person like a dog or a cat, that is, it moves freely throughout the house. It will be nice to know that, like cats, meerkats are litter box trained, so caring for them will be easy and enjoyable.

Meerkats do not show any aggression towards humans. Gradually, having won the trust of the pet, you will grow up an affectionate fluffy friend who will amuse you more than once with charming antics and jumps, will be able to take food from your hands, respond to the name, cuddle and accompany your beloved owner everywhere. Meerkats are social animals, so the person they are used to is perceived as part of their pack.

And now - a few words about what these amazing fluffy babies represent.

Meerkat (older name for meerkat) - Suricata suricata

Type chordates

Class Mammals

Detachment carnivores

Viverridae family (Viverridae)

Subfamily mongoose (Herpestinae)

However, one should not confuse the meerkat with the mongoose - this is a different species that differs both externally and physiologically. Interspecific hybridization between meerkats and mongooses is not possible.

The meerkat lives in deserts, semi-deserts and dry steppes throughout southern Africa - from Lake Chad to the foothills of the Cape of Good Hope, in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Meerkats are well tamed, and since ancient times, natives often keep them as pets, destroying snakes, poisonous insects and rodents. South African peoples believe that meerkats are able to protect their homes from werewolves, "moon devils". For this, as well as for their habit of standing up in the sun to bask in a column, from which their hair literally glows, meerkats are called "solar angels". Their appearance and habits are really “angelic”: charming and meek, funny and good-natured, meerkats will not leave anyone indifferent and are able to cause a warm smile even in a skeptical cynic who cannot be surprised by anything.

It is noteworthy that complete matriarchy reigns among meerkats! The dominant, the leader of the pack will always be the female - the founder of the genus, or the strongest individual, who has taken the place of her predecessor, who has grown old, died or left the clan.

Why is a pack of meerkats called a "clan"? Usually this small community is formed at the moment when the female in estrus forms a pair with the male and their offspring are born. Having matured, not all cubs leave the family - some of them remain. However, some voluntarily leave the family in the hope of founding their own clan, or are expelled from the pack for some kind of “offence”. If the meerkat fails to create his own family, he may die, so the animal will be forced to return to its own flock or join another clan (of course, if it is accepted). The dominant female usually gives birth to cubs, but other members of the clan may also have offspring, but whether the rest will accept them is not necessary once in a while. An alpha female can easily kill newborns or get rid of them, driving the kids away as soon as they grow up, but there are rare exceptions.

At the same time, if a subordinate rather than a dominant female is pregnant, she may attempt to attack her leader's cubs. The most striking thing is that conflicts between females can only arise at the moment of “beating babies”. And no matter how this case ends, the conflict does not affect the further relations between the females and the cohesion of the pack. A mother who has made an attempt on the lives of babies in a few days (after she herself is relieved from the burden) can nurture both her own and other people's children. And the “universal mother” (leader) fearlessly trusts her offspring to the one whose own children she has just killed. Today, meerkats are the only animals found to have such a paradoxical relationship.

Watching the life of the meerkat clan is an unusually exciting experience. There are many films and series that tell about the life of a small fluffy family. They are very popular and are constantly broadcast on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Zoo, and others. If you are touched, touched by these delightful little animals, if you wish, you can buy a DVD with any of these films in the store or order online.

The morning of the meerkats begins with a general “building” (just like in the army!), When the animals come out of their holes and first gather together, standing on their hind legs, to greet the rising Sun. Then they exchange touching caresses - sniffing each other, fawning, funny somersaults and wrestling, licking each other's fur. After that, the family (with the exception of the young, which is not yet strong, does not leave the hole and feeds on mother's milk) starts a meal, or, if there is no prey nearby, goes to their hunting "land". After eating, the animals can stand for long hours in a column or freely wallow in the sand, taking sunbaths. There is always a sentry near the hole, who climbs some hillock, choosing the highest point for his “post”, and watches the horizon. If the sentinel notices a predator, he summons the whole flock with a loud sharp cry so that the clan has time to hide in a hole and wait out the impending danger.

Recent studies by scientists have shown that meerkats have a system of vocal signals and gestures similar to our speech. For example, several alarms that differ in sound timbre: they say which predator is approaching and from where (snake, large animal or bird), is it far away or has crept very close, etc.

The system of "pedagogy" among meerkats is also interesting. As soon as the cubs become more or less independent and need not only milk, but also other food, “nannies” (both females and males can be) take them on their first hunt. The youngest are given already killed prey, the older cubs - caught, but still alive, so that they can play with their prey and try to catch it, and teenagers are taught to hunt on their own.

Just like their relative, the Rikki-Tiki-Tavi mongoose described by Kipling, meerkats are able to deal with a poisonous snake, while deftly avoiding its bite. But in most cases, instead of a dangerous battle, they prefer methodical excavations in search of scorpions, small lizards, giant centipedes and other living creatures - everything that can be caught is eaten. Meerkats love to eat eggs and chicks, and also eat tender parts of plants and their bulbs. The diet of meerkats includes everything that cannot fight back, run away or fly away from them. This way of eating is inherent in many animals, but almost all of them prefer to get their own food alone - such food is easy to get, but it takes quite a lot, and it is simply impossible to “divide” tiny prey into several members of the flock. But meerkats and here stand out among other omnivorous predators: they live and hunt with the whole family, combing every meter of land in their possessions. At the same time, one or two meerkats also stand guard while the rest of the family get their own food without fear of enemies, which allows them to search for prey much more efficiently.

When it comes time to build another dwelling or restore an abandoned one, the meerkats dig the ground with the whole clan, because a convenient entrance to the shelter (or several entrances) is, first of all, an opportunity to quickly hide from the enemy. During such "construction" meerkats dig the ground so zealously that earth or sand flies from under their paws in a continuous stream, as on a conveyor belt. If animals choose rocky areas for living, where it is impossible to dig a hole, then they find a cave or a cleft in the stones and settle down in it. Most likely, it is in this nomadic way of life that the key to such strong family ties among meerkats as part of one clan lies.

Meerkat too? What a healthy…

When the boundaries of the pack's possessions are constantly changing, wars with neighboring families often break out on them, and success in these clashes largely depends on the cohesion of the family. Seeing enemies, the whole family of meerkats stands shoulder to shoulder, belligerently raising their tails with a pipe and bouncing on the spot - with this, the animals try to scare away strangers. If such tactics do not work, then they boldly rush into battle, and at the same time each member of the clan feels the support of each other. But this disciplined performance is effective only against its neighbors, and from natural enemies (jackals and birds of prey) there is only one salvation - flight.

One of the best places to see meerkats is the Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve. Up to 70 species of mammals live here, including meerkats. If you have the desire, you can even book a special Meerkat Mania (Meerkat Mania) tour in the Kalahari Desert; you can also go to the meerkat domain in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. It is noteworthy that these animals are so accustomed to tourists that they easily allow themselves to be stroked, approach people without any fear and willingly accept tasty “gifts” from them. Therefore, when going on such a trip, do not forget to take a camera or camcorder with you to capture this unforgettable event.

Where is this photographer?

At home, when there is no danger, meerkats feel at ease and focus all their attention on the curious search for something tasty or interesting, putting their own "order" in the house, fun tricks and contacts with people.

The sociable meerkat is one of the smallest members of the mongoose family. It is difficult to imagine the dry sandy plains of South Africa without this funny burrowing animal.

In the mongoose family, the meerkat stands out for its unusually colorful outfit. Its light red or reddish-gray fur coat is decorated with dark brown stripes girdling the lower back, and the tip of a long tail is crowned with a black tassel. A rather wide head is colored lighter than the body, the muzzle is pointed, the eyes are larger than those of other mongooses and circled with expressive dark circles, round licked ears are dark brown or black.

Sparse, but shaggy fur partly hides the fragile physique of the animal. Its front paws are armed with very long claws, adapted not for climbing, but for digging the earth. Like all mongooses, the meerkat has two odorous anal glands, the secret of which is excreted along with feces.

These sociable animals live in colonies of 25-40 individuals, devoting more time to games and grooming.

The pungent smell of the secret informs relatives about the sex of the animal, its readiness for mating and the rights to this site. Females, as a rule, are larger than males and run all the affairs of the family.

Meerkats live in large colonies, uniting 2-3 family groups, each of which consists of a male, female and their offspring. One family of up to 40 animals lives in a large underground hole, often dug by African ground squirrels: or yellow mongooses. Meerkats may well dig their own hole, but they prefer to occupy ready-made apartments. Busy with their own affairs, neighbors of different types simply do not notice each other and live peacefully side by side. If the ground is too hard, meerkats nest in rock crevices.

Diet and nutrition

In the absence of the mother, the cubs are looked after by other adult members of the group. At the same time, the "aunts" teach the kids the tricks of hunting, the ability to catch such dangerous prey as scorpions, and defend themselves from poisonous snakes.

In search of prey, they turn stones over, their paws numb into all the cracks, sniff and busily dig the ground, constantly calling to each other in quiet chirring voices. Before returning home, the group carefully examines the entire area, leaving nothing unattended. If food supplies run out, the family will migrate to another hole, located 1-2 km from the main dwelling.

Meerkats often coexist with yellow mongooses that claim the same food sources, but both species coexist happily side by side because the meerkat is not too picky about menu choices.

The mating games of meerkats are often accompanied by fights. If the female does not respond to courtship, the gentleman can easily grab her scruff. Meerkat families jealously guard their territory.

Survival and reproduction

Meerkat on guard post. Since these animals feed during the day in open areas, the group always posts several sentries.

After a hearty meal, the animals take sunbaths with pleasure, carefully comb their hair, sitting on their hind legs, or peacefully doze on the warm earth. Noisy games, chases and fights serve as fun for adults and a useful school for cubs. If danger catches the meerkats away from the mink, they desperately defend themselves - they bark menacingly, bite and try to drive the enemy away in a crowd.

The mating season for meerkats is usually dated for September-October, and the female brings the only offspring of the year in November-December. After a 77-day pregnancy, from 2 to 4 blind and half-naked cubs weighing about 25 g are born in the underground den.

A month later, grown up and already sighted babies get out of the hole for the first time to get acquainted with the outside world, but for another 4-5 weeks they continue to be fed with milk, which not a single lactating female refuses them. When mothers and their families go in search of food, one of the adults will certainly be left to look after the entire “kindergarten”. Over time, the cubs finally switch to the food brought by the elders and learn to get food on their own, and by 12 months they reach puberty.

Meerkats are very affectionate, easily tamed and help their owners to fight pests by diligently exterminating rats and mice. However, the maintenance of these animals at home should be approached with caution, as they can be carriers of rabies.