Meerkat is a mammal found in Africa that stands out for its slender body. It has a coat that can be beige, brown or gray on the back. It is a territorial animal, which builds burrows and occurs in different habitats, such as open arid or semi-arid plains and also in rocky crevices located close to rivers.
These animals feed mainly on insects and rarely drink water. Meerkats live in groups, which are normally divided into family units formed by a couple and their descendants. The gestation period of these animals lasts between 60 and 70 days.
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Meerkat Summary
Meerkats are mammalian animals that measure around 30 cm and can weigh around 730 grams.
These animals have fur that can be beige, brown or gray.
They have a slim body.
Meerkats live in groups, which are divided into family units formed by a breeding pair and their offspring.
They are animals that have a carnivorous primary diet, feeding mainly on insects.
Its gestation lasts between 60 and 70 days.
Meerkats are monogamous animals.
Currently, there are no major threats to the species.
Characteristics of the meerkat
The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is species of mammalwho has a slim body, about 30 cm long, and a tail that can reach approximately 24 cm. Females are, in general, lighter than males, weighing around 720 grams, while males have a mass of around 731 grams.
Meerkats' faces are sharp, and the snout is short. They have four long claws on each foot, which are used in defense. Meerkats' hair is short and the coat is soft, of cbeige, brown or gray coloration in the dorsal region of its body.
In some areas, white hair can be seen, such as on the head. Along the back, it is often possible to notice the occurrence of brown bands. Around the eyes, the coloring of the fur é darker.
How do meerkats live?
These animals live in a group, whichcan have between two and 50 individuals. In general, each group can be divided into smaller family units. Each unit is made up of a dominant couple and their descendants. The meerkats They are diurnal and territorial animals, who bravely defend their territory and dens.
Meerkats live between five and 15 years in the wild. In captivity, these animals can live up to 20 years. Some of Natural predators of meerkats include snakes, jackals, eagles and hawks. To avoid predation, meerkats emit alerts and adopt a posture that includes arching their backs, raising their hair (piloerection) and straightening their tail, as a way of appearing larger than they really are. Furthermore, They use their claws and teeth to defend themselves.
See too: Red panda — animal loner who spends most of his time on top of trees
What is the meerkat's habitat?
Meerkats are animals found in Africa, currently present in Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, according to IUCN. Occupy different hábitats, such as the arid or semi-arid open plains and also rocky crevices located close to rivers. They are found most frequently in savannah regions. These animals are absent in deserts, forested areas and mountainous terrain.
It is worth noting that the type of soil in the region is essential for the permanence of these animals, as they build a complex system of burrows, which includes tunnels. Meerkats can create their own burrows or make use of burrows created by other animals. For meerkats, burrows are important, among other reasons, to cool off, since the temperature in these places is lower than that in the environment.
What does a meerkat eat?
This animal's primary diet is carnivorous, and it feeds, mainly insects. It can also ingest other arthropods and small vertebrates. Moths, beetles, spiders, scorpions and centipedes are some of the species that are part of the diet dO animal.
In relation to water consumption, these animals rarely do so, taking it mainly from the food they consume. Meerkats You can also eat fruits and other vegetables during dry periods of the year to acquire fluids.
The meerkats feedif in Group, this process being time-consuming, lasting between five and eight hours a day. Group members stay close to each other, remaining at a distance where visual and vocal contact is possible. During feeding, it is possible to notice individuals acting as sentinels, ensuring observation of what is happening around the group while the others feed.
Meerkat reproduction
Meerkats generally breed during the rainy season, therefore breeding seasonally. Its about monogamous animals that live in groups, within which there is a dominant couple that reproduces, while the rest help to raise the offspring.
Meerkat gestation time is 60 to 70 days. Cubs are born with eyes and ears closed and weigh between 25 and 36 grams, but they grow quickly. They are completely weaned around 49 to 63 days after birth, but they start feeding on solids around a month after birth. Sexual maturity occurs around one year of age, and females almost never reproduce before they are three years old.
Know more: What animals are endangered?
Are meerkats at risk of extinction?
Today, the species is classified on the IUCN Red List as “least concern”, therefore not at immediate risk of extinction. Still according to the IUCN, currently, there are no major threats to the species.
