MEERKATS
Mammal      -     Vertebrate    -     Omnivore
Meerkats ...

  • Comical, charismatic and social mongooses living in southern Africa
  • Live in burrows
  • Have ears that can open and close to keep out the sand when they are burrowing
  • Uses its tail to balance and as a signal
  • Live in groups of between 10 - 30 individuals
  • Like to groom and sunbathe in the early morning
  • Eat insects, birds, plants, eggs, lizards, scorpions, spiders, snakes and small mammals
  • Main predators are eagles, falcons and jackals
  • Live for about 12 - 14 years
  • Can run at about 37 miles per hour
  • One member of the group will act as sentry, standing on its hind legs on a high vantage point


Meerkats are a member of the Mongoose family.

The catchphrase 'Simples' is so popular that it is about to gain entry in the Oxford English Dictionary
Male  ................................................  Meerkat
Female  ............................................  Meerkat
Young  ..............................................  Pup
COLLECTIVE NOUNS
  1. A clan of meerkats
  2. A gang of meerkats
  3. A manner of meerkats
  4. A mob of meerkats