Meerkat
The Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a small mammal that is part of the mongoose family, scientifically known as the Herpestidae family. The species in the Herpestidae family are described as cat-like, and the Meerkat is no exception. The word Meerkat is Dutch, and actually translates to ‘lake cat’.
They are found naturally in the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa. The body of a Meerkat does not actually store food, and as such they need to eat constantly throughout the day to survive.
This requires they constantly scavenge and hunt for food as they live in desert regions, and food can be scarce at times. The main food sources for Meerkats are insect, small mammals and eggs, but they have also been known to eat lizards and even scorpions.
As mentioned, Meerkats have a similar body type to cats. They are a light to medium brown in color, and and darker spots of fur along their backs and on their tails. They also have black fur around their eyes which helps them see clear on bright, sunny days. This allows them to spot predators early and break into evasive actions. They can completely close their ears and burrow into the sands of the Kalahari Desert with their four-clawed limbs.
Meerkat Statistics
Conservation Status: Lower Risk
Average Height: 40 cm, Average Weight: 725 g
Meerkat Classification
| - Kingdom: Animalia |
| - Phylum: Chordata |
| - Class: Mammalia |
| - Order: Carnivora |
| - Family: Herpestidae |
| - Genus: Suricata |
| - Species: Suricata suricatta |
In Culture
A meerkat appeared as a main character, Timon, in Disney’s’ The Lion King’.