Physical Attributes -
The meerkat, also called the slender-tailed meerkat or suricate, is the only species in its genus Suricata. A small mongoose, it lives in large social colonies made up of several family units. It is often found in association with other mongoose species, as well as squirrels and various other rodents.
Meerkats are catlike carnivores that are part of the civets and mongoose family. They are identified by their long bodies; short, flat ears; and their ability to stand on their back feet. Meerkat coats can be gold, silver, orange or brown with dark patches of fur around the eyes.
Standing on its hind legs offers a sentry a much clearer vision of the desert around it and enables it to spot threats on the ground and in the sky much more efficiently. An adult meerkat can see up to 4.8km away and even look into direct sunlight without being blinded. Meerkats are encouraged by their plenty family members to stand up on their hind legs to o serve the world around them. There are different jobs / positions in the meerkat family including, Alpha female, Alpha male, Beta male, Beta female, Sentry, Babysitter, Pup. Each position has their purposes from being an Alpha female (at the top), to being a pup.
Meerkats are small mongooses. They're on the move and productive at daytime. That justifies why they're termed as small diurnal mongooses. Further, they own a long slender body and limbs. Their body length can extend up to 14 inches long while the length of their tail can extend up to 9 inches long.
Unlike other mongoose species, meerkats' tail is not bushy. Their tail is often long and thin. As well, the color of the tip of the tail is usually black or, at times, reddish.
Meerkats are catlike carnivores that are part of the civets and mongoose family. They are identified by their long bodies; short, flat ears; and their ability to stand on their back feet. Meerkat coats can be gold, silver, orange or brown with dark patches of fur around the eyes.
Standing on its hind legs offers a sentry a much clearer vision of the desert around it and enables it to spot threats on the ground and in the sky much more efficiently. An adult meerkat can see up to 4.8km away and even look into direct sunlight without being blinded. Meerkats are encouraged by their plenty family members to stand up on their hind legs to o serve the world around them. There are different jobs / positions in the meerkat family including, Alpha female, Alpha male, Beta male, Beta female, Sentry, Babysitter, Pup. Each position has their purposes from being an Alpha female (at the top), to being a pup.
Meerkats are small mongooses. They're on the move and productive at daytime. That justifies why they're termed as small diurnal mongooses. Further, they own a long slender body and limbs. Their body length can extend up to 14 inches long while the length of their tail can extend up to 9 inches long.
Unlike other mongoose species, meerkats' tail is not bushy. Their tail is often long and thin. As well, the color of the tip of the tail is usually black or, at times, reddish.