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Suricates © MNHN – F-G. Grandin

The meerkat

The meerkat is a small diurnal animal originating from southwestern Africa which is recognisable because of its distinctive posture, where it stands upright on its hind legs.

Profile

Class, order and family :
Mammalia, carnivora, herpestidae
Lifespan :
Up to 10 years
Height & weight :
From 45 to 50 cm, between 625 g and 1 kg
Gestation :
Around 70 days
Natural habitat :
Semi-arid plains, scrublands and prairie grasslands
Diet :
Opportunistic insectivore
Native region :
South-west africa
Statut UICN : 

Least concern (LC)

Lifestyle

The iconic meerkat is a diurnal animal which lives in groups, in a territory that it can share peacefully with other meerkats. Skilful and meticulous, it can feed on venomous prey.

Distinctive features

The meerkat can be recognised by its characteristic posture: its tail helps it to keep its balance and stand easily on its hind legs. Its ears, meanwhile, enable it to be on the lookout for the slightest threat. When digging, they can be folded back along its head to prevent dust from entering. Meerkats vocalise a lot when hunting or sounding the alarm.

Anecdote

At the Zoological Park of Paris, the meerkats share their enclosure with the bat-eared foxes.

Les suricates explorent leur nouvel enclos. MNHN - FG. GRANDIN
suricates © MNHN F.G Grandin