Meerkats are among the most social of all mammals living in groups composed of multiple families, that can contain up to 30 individuals. This behaviour helps them to thrive in harsh environments by working together as a group.
They are diurnal animals, being active during the day. In the wild, they will emerge after the sun has heated the surface of their burrow.
Meerkats are members of the mongoose family. They have long claws which they use to dig elaborate underground burrows and to hunt for food.
They communicate with one another through barks, calls, growls, and grunts.
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Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
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Animal classMammal, herpestidae -
HabitatWarm, dry habitats such as deserts and dry grasslands. -
DietOmnivores – diet consists mainly of insects, but will also eat plants, eggs, small rodents, and snakes. -
Conservation statusLeast concern
Meerkats live in large groups called mobs.
Meerkats carry out “sentinel” behaviour. This means they take turns looking out for predators, just like a security guard.
Standing up on their hind legs, meerkats have a long, slender body of approximately 35cm and their tail can be up to 25cm long. Adults can weigh up to approximately 900 grams.
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Introduction
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Conservation
Meerkats are classified as least concern.
Threats to populations include habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. -
Habitat
Meerkats play a key role in the ecosystem that they inhabit. Their diet consists mainly of insects and so they keep populations of pests at bay. They are also a vital food source for predators in the ecosystem.
They live in warm, dry habitats such as deserts and dry grasslands. -
Fun Facts
When looking out for predators, the sentinel gives a distinctive bark to sound an alarm and the mob will flee into their burrows for protection. Sentinel rotation occurs throughout the day, among members of the group.
Meerkats are cooperative breeders, meaning helpers in the group, will assist in raising young that are not their own.
FAQs about Meerkats
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Where can I see meerkats in Ireland?
You can see meerkats at Emerald Park Zoo, where these fascinating members of the mongoose family live in social groups called mobs. Visitors can watch them standing on their hind legs, taking turns acting as lookouts while the rest of the group forages or explores.
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Are meerkats dangerous?
Meerkats are not generally considered dangerous to people. They are small, highly social animals that prefer to rely on teamwork and vigilance to avoid predators. In the wild, they use alarm calls to warn the group of danger and will quickly retreat to their burrows if threatened. Like any wild animal, they should always be given space and not handled.
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Can meerkats swim?
Meerkats are not natural swimmers. They live in warm, dry habitats such as deserts and grasslands, where they rarely encounter large bodies of water. Their bodies are adapted for digging burrows rather than swimming, so they generally avoid water whenever possible.
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How many meerkats are left in the world?
There is no confirmed global population estimate for meerkats. They are currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, and their population is considered stable across much of their natural range, although habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade remain threats.
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What do meerkats eat?
Meerkats are omnivores with a diet that consists mainly of insects, but they may also eat plants, eggs, small rodents and snakes. By feeding on insects and other pests, they play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
