Meerkats

This is an image of 2 meerkats one is standing upright and the other moving away. They are cute little animals.

facts about... more

by Flees Photos

Title

Meerkats

Artist

Flees Photos

Medium

Photograph - Home Decor And Giclee Wall Art By Chris Flees

Description

This is an image of 2 meerkats one is standing upright and the other moving away. They are cute little animals.

facts about meerkats:

Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small carnivores belonging to the mongoose family. They are native to the arid regions of southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert.

Meerkats are well-known for their social behavior and living in organized groups called mobs or clans. A mob typically consists of 10 to 40 individuals, but some larger groups have been observed.

Within a meerkat mob, there is a dominant breeding pair known as the alpha male and alpha female. They are the primary reproductive individuals, and other members of the group help care for their offspring.

Meerkats are highly cooperative animals. They take turns acting as sentinels, standing upright on their hind legs and scanning the surroundings for potential threats, such as predators like snakes, birds of prey, or jackals.

Meerkats have a well-developed vocal repertoire and use different calls to communicate with each other. They produce specific alarm calls to alert the group about the presence of predators, and different calls indicate the type of threat.

Meerkats are diurnal animals, meaning they are most active during the day and rest in underground burrows at night for protection. These burrows, called meerkat mansions, have several entrances and provide shelter from extreme temperatures and predators.

Meerkats have a diverse diet, consisting mainly of insects like beetles, spiders, scorpions, and small mammals, as well as fruits and seeds. They are skilled foragers and will dig in the soil or overturn rocks to find their prey.

Meerkats have a specialized immunity to scorpion venom. They can tolerate and even prey upon venomous scorpions, which are a staple in their diet.

Meerkats have a gestation period of about 11 weeks. Females typically give birth to litters of 2 to 5 pups. The entire group participates in caring for and raising the young, providing protection, teaching hunting skills, and engaging in grooming behaviors.

Meerkats have a lifespan of around 12 to 14 years in the wild, although they can live longer in captivity with proper care.

Meerkats are fascinating creatures, known for their cooperative behavior, complex social structure, and ability to survive in harsh desert environments. Their unique adaptations and cooperative lifestyle make them captivating and beloved animals.

Uploaded

August 5th, 2018