Slender-tailed meerkat suricata suricatta
Alert, quick and together!
The slender-tailed meerkat is found in the dry savannah of South Africa, where it lives in groups and feeds on insects, small mammals, eggs and plants.
The slender-tailed meerkat in a nutshell
- eats
- mainly insects, but also small mammals, eggs and plants
- inhabits
- Southern Africa
- excels at
- digging and working together
The slender-tailed meerkat lives on the dry savannah of southern Africa. Here it digs elaborate burrows for shelter and protection.
Heating and cooling via belly
Meerkats live on the dry savannah and can cope well with the heat. Their thinly hairy bellies help them do this: in the morning they warm up in the sun. If it is too hot, they lie flat on their bellies in a cool place to cool down. Their long eyelashes protect their eyes from bright sunlight and drifting sand.
Help with parenting
Meerkats live in groups of up to 30 individuals, led by a dominant pair. Only this pair usually gives birth to young, but the whole group helps to care for them. The young stay in the nest for three weeks. They are then looked after by helpers or babysitters. Even helpers who are not mothers can give milk to the little ones.
Always on guard
The meerkats look for their own food, but always stay in contact with each other. One animal keeps watch from a higher point so that it can keep a close eye on everything. In case of danger, it makes several sounds: one to warn the group of danger from the ground, and another for threats from the air. As soon as the alarm sounds, the others quickly dive into their burrows!
The slender-tailed meerkat has been adopted by HMH groep, Glashandel de Kleine Koning, G4S Security Services, Bouwteam P & O and Akerbouw.