Meerkats

=Meerkats=

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 Meerkats, (genus Suricata), are omnivorous mammals that belong to the mongoose family. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years, and about half this in the wild. Their size ranges in between 20 to 30 cm. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. They weigh on average about 2.2 lbs. Meerkats have light brown fur with a gray and brown tint to it with stripes on their back. Their dark-skinned bellies are covered with only a thin layer of fur. Meerkats are specially adapted to living in the harsh desert environment. They will eat insects, lizards, birds, and fruit. The main animals that prey on meerkats are martial eagles and jackals. =====

A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some have 50 or more members. The clans live in underground tunnels or burrows. These family groups are led by an alpha pair, with the female being the most dominant. Most of the group members are either children or siblings of the alpha pair. A new meerkat group often starts from females meeting other males, seeking to mate. The litter size is usually 2–5 pups. A meerkat group may die out because of predator attack, starvation, or disease.

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 By one and a half years,meerkats are mature enough to have their own offspring. Like many species, meerkat young learn by watching and copying the adult meerkats. When the pups are old enough, their mother will bring them live bugs and teach them how to kill the prey. Meerkat mothers can nurse their young while standing on their back legs. They also protect the young from threats. On warning of danger, the babysitter takes the young underground to safety and is prepared to defend and protect them if needed. =====

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 The meerkat is not currently endangered and is considered at lower risk of becoming endangered by the IUCN. Because meerkats carry rabies, they have been hunted in their burrows particularly in areas where they pose a threat the humans. This has however not reduced their population significantly. =====