The animal also feeds on small snakes and scorpions. Meerkats are mammals. The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. Meerkat, (Suricata suricatta), also spelled mierkat, also called suricate, burrowing member of the mongoose family (Herpestidae), found in southwestern Africa, that is unmistakably recognizable in its upright “sentinel” posture as it watches for predators. Amazing Facts About the Meercat. There are usually 3 to 4 in a litter, and they go by a few different names. We bring you some more interesting facts and amazing information on meerkats, in … It has a distinct cry and is even known to change its cry to convey different meanings. Meerkats use their tail to maintain balance while standing. It has a body length of 35 to 50 cm. These groups are referred to as either a mob, a gang or a clan. 04: Life span of meerkats. Read on to discover fascinating facts with which to impress your friends, neighbours or children. I miss him and I worry that he is getting lonely. Meerkats are able to kill and eat poisonous scorpions and snakes without getting hurt. Meerkats are some of the most curious, social, and protective animals that you are ever going to meet. At the head of each clan is a meerkat dominant female and male. Facts about Meerkats 1: The Word of Meerkat. Meerkats are known to use a wide range of vocal calls to communicate between one another sounding long howls to warn the rest of the band of an approaching bird of prey, and using short double-barks to alert them of a predator nearing … The meerkat is slender and has a pointed little face, tiny ears, and black eye patches. There can be up to 30 meerkats in a colony, but there are usually around 10. Did you know… Meerkats are actually part of the mongoose family! Their eyes and ears are closed. These include murmurs, clucks, threatening growls and spits, and an alarm bark. These family groups, called gangs or mobs, are led by an alpha pair, with the female being the most dominant. He is an orphan because his family were eaten by birds of prey. Meerkats aren’t exactly immune to a scorpion’s sting (like grasshopper mice), but they’re swift enough to slice the scorpions tail off before eating them. Suricata suricatta. Animals A to Z; Baby Animals; meerkat Facts. Sep 23, 2015. As a small predator, surviving in desert and savanna habitats can be treacherous. Four is the most common. Their tails add another 7.5 to 9.5 inches (19 to 24 cm) to their length. A meerkat family live in an underground warren, which they dig - all meerkats are excellent diggers. They are native to southern Africa. Meerkats are carnivores. Meerkats are extremely social, and often groom or play with each other. The adult meerkat weighs around 1.1 to 5.5 lb. Meerkat babies start life deep underground in a birthing chamber lined with grasses. Meerkat is a loanword from Afrikaans. Meerkats every day produce food in different parts of their territory, so that the earth can recover. Meerkat facts that will amaze your kids Cute, cuddly, chaotic – all words you might think sum up meerkats, but in fact are myths. While most forage for food, some care for the youngsters, and others act as sentries keeping an eye out for danger; They can have up to five pups in a single litter. Share on Facebook. They are part of the mongoose family. The meerkat is a carnivorous mammal found in deserts and other dry habitats in southern Africa. Suricates are incredibly charismatic little creatures. Tweet. They eat many invertebrates, and so probably act as a control on these prey populations. When the babies are born they are pink and have no hair. They can reach 12 inches in height and weigh up to 2 pounds. Meerkats may be small, but don’t be misguided by their cuteness, these furry creatures are pretty hardcore when it comes to living in the wild. In the description below, I would like to inform you the interesting facts about meerkats. Animal Fun Facts; Africa's Big Five; Wild Animals; What's the Difference Between a Wild Animal and Domestic Animal? Meerkats are very quick and can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. One thought on “ 5 Interesting Facts About Meerkats ” tpd123 says: June 28, 2014 at 4:40 am Once when I went on holiday to Ilfracombe I met a meerkat called Shivers. In recent literature, suricates were referred as mierkat. Meerkats are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Portrait of a Meerkat . They … 3562. Interesting Facts About Meerkats. Meerkat Facts for Kids . This social animal lives in groups of 20 to 50 individuals. Meerkats station a sentry whose job is to look for trouble while the rest of the gang carries out their day’s activities. 11 Interesting Facts About Meerkats. Fun Facts about Meerkats. Meerkats live about eight years in the wild, and up to 14 years in zoos. In the event of a predator attack they fight back as a group. Meerkat’s have become quite famous the last few years with their own show on a cable network that is viewed worldwide. Meerkat Facts for Kids. They will even tend to an injured member of the colony. If this fails, the fight will be ephemeral but, deadly in this war less, than half all adult meerkats survive any given year. Meerkats can be found living in the southern African plains. The head-and-body length is around 24–35 cm (9.4–13.8 in), and the weight is typically between 0.62 and 0.97 kg (1.4 and 2.1 lb). Animals A to Z; Baby Animals; Meerkat Babies . Matriarchy reigns in the family, and the female can exceed the size of the male. They are highly social animals and they like to play or groom each other. Some interesting facts about Meerkats. If the individual Meerkat on guard spots approaching danger they will sound the alarm to the rest of the group. In colloquial Afrikaans, mier means terminate, and kat means cat. Adults meerkats teach the pups to properly attack the scorpions by sneaking up on them, taking off the tail, then brushing off the rest of the venom in the sand. Share. Meerkats have an important role in the food web, providing food for the animals that are their natural predators (hawks, eagles, jackals). A mongoose is a furry animal with a long body and tail that lives in Africa and Asia. Meerkat facts, pictures and in-depth information for kids and adults. They sharp claws which they mostly use for digging burrows. 15 Cool and fun facts about meerkats. The guards are relieved of their duty in every hour, so everyone gets a chance to forage during the day. Just last year, an advert starring a Russian meerkat called Aleksandr Orlov and his furry friends was voted the most memorable in a British TV commercial top 10 list. Meerkat groups utilize several different burrows and move from one to another. Meerkat Interesting Facts For Kids and Information. Fun Facts for Kids. A group of meerkats is called a mob, clan, or gang; They are insectivores, but will also eat lizards, scorpions, snakes, spiders, millipedes and centipedes; All meerkats have a job within their clan. But interesting facts about meerkats that they are highly regional and will engage in ferocious wars with neighboring gangs. They’re carnivores and behave a lot like felines, yet barely weigh as much as the average squirrel. The burrows that they dig are good for protection, but they also help them to keep cool from the hot desert sun. A group of meerkats is referred to as a mob, a gang or a clan. It is characterised by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern. navajocodetalkersadmin on January 12, 2015 - 10:00 am in Fun Facts for Kids. Their diet mostly consists of insects, which they sniff out using their enhanced sense of smell. There is usually a dominant pair in charge, our parents, Nelson and Madison are the dominant animals in our group. 8 Meerkat Facts for Kids. The meerkat is a small animal which lives in the Kalahari Desert (Botswana), South Africa, and Namibia. Female meerkats can have up to three litters in one year. Meerkats are small animals, measuring 9.75 to 11.75 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) from head to rump. Meerkats live in groups called "mobs" which consist of 2-3 families of meerkats. As a result of research on meerkats, many interesting facts have become known. Their tan and brown fur helps them to blend into the desert and hide from predators such as eagles. Interesting Facts About the Meerkat. Fun Stuff; Teacher Tools; Meerkat. Meerkats live in the deserts and grasslands in Africa. Reply. Mongooses forage together, use teamwork to repel predators, and are often seen grooming one another. They live in groups of 20-50 extended family members in large underground tunnels. tall, meerkats, also known as suricats, depend on group cooperation to survive in the Kalahari Desert. He was rescued and lives alone in an enclosure. 0. Meerkat Interesting Facts and Features. Standing at only 30 cm (12 in.) Females are more vocal than males. Animal Fun Facts; Africa's Big Five; Wild Animals; What's the Difference Between a Wild Animal and Domestic Animal? They can actually eat some venomous snakes and scorpions as they have a certain amount of immunity to venom. Print. They have a ‘nictitating’ membrane on their eyes. Meerkat digs burrows and always lives in groups popularly called as mob, gang or clan. Portrait of a Meerkat Baby. Fun facts about the slender-tailed meerkat. Pin. For more videos about wildlife please subscribe :) Royalty free content brought from pond5.com and/or bigstockphoto.com They fight in a gang with other posturing and attempting to intimidate the opposition first. Meerkats are a small mongoose species known for their intensely watchful nature and the endearing upright stance they take while scanning their desert home for danger. Predators of the meerkat include snakes, jackals, and birds of prey. You can visit them. Fun facts! Meerkat groups use several different burrows, moving between them regularly. Tweet on Twitter . Thank you for listening. Each burrow is an extensive tunnel-and-room system that remains cool even under the broiling African sun. One mob shares a single burrow. They also eat small rodents, fruit, birds, eggs, lizards and even poisonous scorpions as well as snakes! Click Here for more Animal Facts. Groups of meerkats sometimes have up to 50 individuals. They are highly evolved and possess some amazing adaptations that aren’t immediately obvious. Discover some interesting new facts about these famous African dwellers: Meerkats are social mammals who live in large groups, sometimes comprising of several families living in one large community. I found your facts interesting. Share . Meerkat: Amazing Pictures & Fun Facts for Kids: Amazon.co.uk: Drake, Carolyn: Books Select Your Cookie Preferences We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so … They are an interesting animal species that are very entertaining. / Fun Facts for Kids / 8 Meerkat Facts for Kids. They tend to live in groups (‘gangs’ or ‘mobs’) of around 20 individuals, although far larger groups are not uncommon. African Animal Facts: Interesting Facts About Meerkats. Meerkats love hot and dry climates, they live is the southern tip of Africa. 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