Slender-tailed meerkat
Status
Least Concern
Classification
Mammal
Exhibit
Small Mammal House
Always Keeping An Eye Out
Gregarious in nature, meerkats live in groups called “mobs” of up to 30 individuals. Meerkats work together in numbers, communicating through a purring sound, while foraging for food. While most of the mob is hunting, others serve as lookouts for predators like hawks or eagles. A piercing call is the signal for all to take cover if danger is approaching.
World Class Babysitters
Meerkats also work as a mob when rearing their young, with older members acting as pup sitters. Meerkat groups utilize several different burrows and move from one to another. Each burrow is an extensive tunnel-and-room system that remains cool no matter what the temperature. Native to southern Africa, Meerkats are listed as stable by the International Nature of Conservation (IUCN).