The Meerkats are mammals that belong to the mongoose family. These erect mammals from Africa are famous for being extremely cooperative and beautiful in appearance. Meerkats love living in groups, working together to find food.
Here is some information that will enhance your understanding.
Facts about the Meerkat
- The Meerkats are extroverts that love chatting in at least ten different languages. Females are chattier than males, and their sounds include murmuring, threatening growls, spits, defensive bark, and scolding clucks.
- They make a paste of secretion in scented pouches under their tails. Then, they rub it on plants and rocks to mark territory.
- They are vicious, especially when fighting for territories, and the wars can be fatal.
- Meerkats mainly feed on insects. They use their sharp sense of smell to dig and find tasty food such as caterpillars, beetles, grubs, and termites.
- The Meerkats are well adapted to desert life. The distinctive patches around their eyes assist in cutting down the uncomfortable glare of the sun. Therefore, meerkats have better vision when close and far away. Also, their eyes have long and horizontal pupils that give them a wide range of vision without moving their heads.
- Even though meerkats live in the desert, they do not need extra water. The fluid they extract from insects and fruits is sustainable.
- Meerkats love cuddling up. Therefore, they pile on top of each other to sleep better.
- They also enjoy sunbathing. Meerkats stand and warm up themselves in the sun rays when they come out of their burrows in the morning.
- These mammals have an organized social structure with defined roles. While the babysitters look after the young ones, some Meerkats will go out to search for food.
- Meerkats are immune to some snake poisons.
- Their lifespan is around 12 to 14 years, but they can live up to 20 years.
- Meerkats weigh around 2 pounds.
They are special!
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It is gorgeous to read early in the morning about animals. My cat sleeps in my room at night, which is a blessing to wellbeing at my age, but definitely at any age.
I learned from my chicken how important it is to catch sunlight !
I wonder, whether I will end up sand bathing one day just like they do.
The cutest little animals