Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

Mammalia · Carnivora · Herpestidae

Fig. 1. Meerkat

Fig. 2. Range

Length or height	Body length about 25-35 cm
Weight	About 620-970 g
Food	Insects, scorpions, small animals
Lifespan	About 12-14 years
Society	Mobs of up to 50 with sentries and babysitters
Habitat	desert, savanna
Range	Africa
Wild or tame	Wild

A kind of mongoose that is immune to some scorpion venom.

Observe: Find the sentry on lookout, and listen for the alarm call.

Modern data

Status today

LCLeast concern status to verify

Conservation	Least concern.
Keeper's note	Deep sand lets meerkats dig, and hidden insects let them forage.
Kingdom · phylum	Animalia · Chordata
Genus	Suricata

Check the record: IUCN Red List · GBIF · ITIS

See it elsewhere in the museum

Zoo: Desert zone

For classes

Lessons: The Mammal Hall: Weigh the cost of warmthPreviewThe Domesticated Animal: Map it, time itPreviewEcosystems: Two Ways to Hold a HabitatPreview

Drawer: Zoo: Desert

Quiz: Desert quiz · 5 questions