Meerkat

The meerkat is a small but sociable mammal. A male meerkat weights about 731 grams or 1.61 pounds whereas a meerkat female weights about 720 grams or 1.58 pounds. A meerkat has long body of around 10-14 inches and long, thin tail of about 7-10 inches. The tail of a meerkat usually has black or dark red color at the tip. Meerkats also have tapered face with pointed brown nose, which you can see in the pictures of the meerkats below.

Meerkat Information

The black patches around the meerkats' eyes help deflect the sun's glare, making it easier for the meerkats to see. On top of that, meerkats have binocular vision as well as large peripheral range and depth perception. The small, black, round ears of meerkats easily close when digging so that sand wouldn't go into their ears. Meerkats have long, curved claws to help them dig, climb trees, and catch their prey. The barrows that meerkats dig can be as deep as 10 feet.

Meerkats and Mongoose family

Meerkats are members of the mongoose family. However, meerkats' tails are long and thin, unlike those of other mongoose members which tend to have more bushy tails. Meerkats are considered the most sociable of the mongoose family.

Meerkat Habitat

The meerkat inhibits the semiarid plains of southern Africa. Meerkat habitat is all parts of the Kalahari Desert. What meerkats look for in their habitat is the scrub. Meerkats do not like woodland or dense vegetation areas. Meerkats live in groups, each meerkat looks out for others in the group for any signs of danger.