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Meerkats
A meerkat is not feline at all, but is a suricate, a member of the mongoose family. Diurnal, highly gregarious, and territorial, they live in the dry, open country of southwestern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
491 Questions
Because meerkats are nocturnal, (meaning they rest during the day and are awake at night) during the day they burrow deep into the ground where the soil is damp, rich, cooling, and away from the hot sun. But then during the night, after the sun has gone down, and the temperature has dropped, meerkats and other nocturnal desert animals come up from beneath the ground and are ready to hunt & search for water.
How much space does a family of meerkats need in a zoo?
well i don't know cristina fantasiu loves Kevin
No...thay live in Africa and it is always hot there so there is no use to migrate.
Meerkats not only have tails, their tails are almost as long as their bodies! Meerkats use their long tails for balance: They stand on their hind legs and put their tail down on the ground, making their own tripod of sorts.
When a meerkat fights for dominance, its tail goes up--perhaps to make it look bigger and fiercer. When meerkats run, their tails go up, too--perhaps so other meerkats in the mob can see where the leader is headed.
What impact does humans have on meerkats?
Humans impact meerkats primarily through habitat destruction, urbanization, and agricultural expansion, which can reduce their natural living spaces. Additionally, human activities like poaching and the illegal pet trade pose direct threats to meerkat populations. On the other hand, eco-tourism can benefit meerkats by promoting conservation efforts and providing financial incentives to protect their habitats. Overall, the relationship between humans and meerkats is complex, with both positive and negative influences.
What is unique about the meerkat?
when meerkats dig they can shut their ears to keep dirt out of them
Meerkats live in groups called gangs, mobs, or clans. Each clan has an alpha male and female, but the female is dominant over the male. Only the dominant male and female are allowed to breed, and if any other females have pups, the alpha female usually kills the pups. The group consists of the alpha pair's pups that have grown up, but haven't yet left to start their own group. The adults in the group work together to raise the alpha pair's young pups. The meerkats sleep in burrows, and young pups stay home at the burrow, while one or two meerkats keep an eye on them, when the rest of the group leaves to hunt for insects, scorpions, etc. While foraging, there is always at least one meerkat on lookout to warn the rest of threats such as birds of prey. If there is a threat, they run to an emergency burrow, which they have scattered across their territory. Meerkats are strictly territorial, and clans often fight each other for land when food is scarce.
Meerkats are not cold blooded. They use endothermic methods, such as shivering and sweating to keep their body temperature at a constant rate and are therefore warm blooded animals.
Meerkats are African animals who live in groups known as gangs, mobs, or clans. They are often noted for their cuteness. Most clans have an average of 20 meerkats, but some have been known to have up to 50. The roles are divided into:
Alpha Male: The lead male, mate of the alpha female.
Alpha Female: Most often leader of the clan. Whoever mates them is the alpha male. She is the only one allowed to have and raise kits. Those who have kits who are not alpha female will either have their pups killed, or they will be temporarily evicted. The pups often die before they are allowed back in.
Pups: The babies. They are often killed and even eaten when they belong to any female other than the alpha female.
Sentry: The one on lookout duty who warns other meerkats of predators.
Babysitter: The one who stays behind while others forage for food.
Hunters/Foragers: The ones who go out to get food.
see link below for lots of info on Meerkats.
Another Answer
A meerkat is actually not a cat at all. A meerkat is part of the mongoose family. They live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa. They live in clans of twenty to fifty meerkats and live from twelve to fourteen years. The most famous meerkat is perhaps Timon from Disney's The Lion King. The species was also popularized through Animal Planet's Meerkat Manor.
How do meerkats work as a team?
meerkats are very good examples of team work they often have shifts of duties such as babysitting, watching for prey (the look out), foraging(getting food), Mobbing(chasing away rival clans or spitting as a group on a dangerous threat that they dont want around such as a deadly adler(very poisonous snake) or any other creatures that might harm them or their young).
Why do meerkats live in burrows?
They need a shelter to protect them from predators especially at night. Also it gets very cold at night and it is warmer snuggling together underground. Last they need a safe place to give birth to there young.
Where do meerkats get there water from?
They get all the water they need from their food such as grubs, scorpions, and millipedes.
What are the 3 different types of meerkats?
Meerkats, otherwise called suricates, are types of mongoose. They belong to the Order Carnivora along with cats, dogs, hyaenas, badgers, seals and binturongs. The binomial/Latin name of the Meerkat is Suricata suricatta
Because it greatly improves their chances of survival to be close to other meerkats. A meerkat can't really survive on their own as they can't keep watch and eat food at the same time.
There are other survival behaviors undertaken in groups, such as keeping warm and grooming.
No, meerkats aren't really cats. They are members of the mongoose family. You can find out more here: well yes and no there from the cat family but half mongoose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat
a meerkat is a type of rodent related to the squirrel
No not unless they are not groomed of they stay in a burrow to long.
wow... the last person said 99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999mph... Anyways I THINK it is like 20 mph or 50mph, one or the other, but I'm not sure. I need the same information but the thing is I'm not sure about my answer.
Are berries on asparagus ferns poisonous to humans or animals?
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Yes
What kind of bugs do meerkat eat?
eagles and other predatory bids that will atack. Which i will also include large snakes and mammals such as Hyenas.
They are mostly protected by safety in numbers, however, sometimes an unlucky meerkat may be caught alone and snatched up by a bird of prey, like a hawk. When they are in groups, they fend off snakes (like puff adders, for instance), but sometimes, again, when alone, they are no match for a snake. The African people that live close to them do not eat them because they believe meerkats are protectives spirits against werewolves or other evil things. Because they are rarely eaten by anything, there are a lot of meerkats in the Africa.
