Meerkats are small mammals of the mongoose family. They live in the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, where they like to stand on their hind legs and peer over the landscape. These animals weigh 1 1/2 lb. as adults, with males being slightly larger, and stand 10 to 14 inches in height. These insectivorious mammals are roughly the size of a squirrel. Meerkats live in well-organized groups of up to 30 called mobs.
Meerkats live burrows, where they work together toward survival. These little mammals are expert diggers and make elaborate burrows with on average 15 entrances and exits. Some of the burrow tunnels are as deep as 6 1/2 feet and stay a constant temperature during winter and summer. A mob of meerkats will build several burrows in their territory and rotate between them every few months. A dominant meerkat pair leads the mob.
Meerkats are tan in color to blend in with their desert surroundings. They also have dark patches around their eyes. These patches work to deflect the sun from their eyes so they can see far into the distance when they stretch up on their hind legs. A meerkat's belly is sparsely furred, showing dark skin under. This skin absorbs sunlight when the meerkat sunbathes on its hind legs in the morning. Each meerkat has parallel stripes on its back.
A mob of meerkats works together efficiently. Several will stand and look out for hawks, eagles and other predators. They send out a sharp, shrill cry to take cover when one of these predator birds is spotted. Other meerkats spend their time hunting for insects, lizards, birds and fruit. The hunters communicate with one another by purring. Meerkats have an excellent sense of smell, making them good hunters. A mob's hunting territory is generally 4 square miles, and hunters go out in a different direction each day. Each female meerkat gives birth to two to four babies a year. Fathers and siblings help raise and teach the babies.