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Meerkats create extensive burrows with several tunnels that are often shared with ground squirrels.
photo: Tom Gillespie
Characteristics: Meerkats can be found living in large social groups, or mobs in the Kalahari desert and surrounding regions of South Africa. One of several mongoose species, they are small carnivorous animals that weigh only 2-3.5lbs.
Meerkats are often prey for larger animals, however they easily recognize danger and usually have a sentry standing guard for potential predators. They create extensive burrows with several tunnels that are often shared with ground squirrels.
Diet: Meerkats eat a wide variety of foods including insects, spiders, reptiles, small mammals, birds, roots, tubers and fruits.
Reproduction: A dominant breeding pair produces the majority of offspring in a mob. Meerkats spend a large portion of their lives caring for the offspring of others.
Environmental Connections: Meerkat populations are currently healthy in the wild. The greatest threat to their survival is habitat destruction due to human encroachment.
Meerkats like areas where they can create burrows, such as the desert, savanna and clearings in the bush. Protecting meerkats means preserving the habitats in which they live. No ecosystem stands alone so it is important that we work to protect ecosystems on a global level.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
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