Social Structure -
The social structure of a meerkat family is one of the attributes that make them so fascinating. They are one of the few mammals that take on different roles depending on the situation, and it makes an individual gang incredibly versatile in the wild. For instance, while a group goes foraging for food or is busy digging further tunnels, one or two meerkats will remain on sentry duty, alerting the rest of the group with any dangers. Meerkats even climb small shrubs and trees of the desert in order to gain a better view of its surroundings. Meerkats also have a loud growl or voice so it can communicate everything to its group from danger to prey. This excellent awareness of meerkats, has allowed them to live up to 10 years of natural life.
Meerkats rely on hierarchy and roles for the survival of their species. At the top of the meerkat groups are the alpha females and the alpha males. The alpha female is usually the only member of the group that may become pregnant so she is the heart and soul of the group. Below them are the beta females and males. These are the pups that have almost grown to adult size but still need to reach the adult maturity. Both males and females will leave their birth gang at around ten months to seek better breeding opportunities elsewhere. If a group falls apart, beta females will leave and find a new male, also creating a new group in the process.
Pups are the youngest of the groups, the alphas and betas will spend their time mentoring the young ones, teaching them to hunt and burrow in the desert. The position of babysitter and sentry are roles that cycle between members but the roles of looking after the young usually fall to meerkats that are aged to six months or older. Meerkats are also co-operative breeders, so raising the young is a responsibility shared between the whole group.