Meerkat

Meerkats are small, weasel-like animals belonging to the mongoose family. They are well-known for their social nature and upright posture – one of the most famous meerkats is Timon in The Lion King! Weighing less than one kilogram, they have a body length of around 29 cm, with an additional 19 cm-long tail. Although they are small, they are incredibly quick and can run up to 32 km/h.

They have many tiny teeth that are mainly used for eating, though they may snap at intruders to protect themselves. Their black claws (between 3 to 4 cm long), are specially adapted for digging and climbing. Their most developed sense is their eyesight. The dark patches around their eyes help reduce glare from the sun, helping them spot threats from a distance and their long, horizontal pupils provide a wide range of vision without the need to turn their heads. When they are digging, a protective membrane covers their eyes to keep out sand and dirt. Meerkats live in groups called "mobs" or "colonies," ranging from 3 to 50 members. Each adult has a role, like a babysitter, sentry, hunter, or teacher. They dig complex burrow systems up to five metres long, giving them shelter from predators and the desert sun. When they look for food, a sentry keeps watch for predators and will make a high-pitched sound to warn the rest of the group to hide in “bolt holes.” When they feel threatened, meerkats stand together, arch their backs, and puff up their fur, and hiss to look like a big animal.