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meerkat

Also known as suricate, Suricata suricatta, mierkat

The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. It is characterised by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern. The head-and-body length is around , and the weight is typically between . The coat is light grey to yellowish-brown with alternate, poorly defined light and dark bands on the back. Meerkats have foreclaws adapted for digging and have the ability to thermoregulate to survive in their harsh, dry habitat. Three subspecies are recognised.

AI overview

A meerkat is a small mongoose native to southern Africa, recognizable by its distinctive appearance with a broad head, large eyes, pointed snout, and banded coat pattern. Meerkats are adapted to survive in harsh, dry environments through specialized digging claws and the ability to regulate their body temperature.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

Least Concern

Maximum longevity: 20.6 years (captivity) Observations: In the wild these animals are estimated to live up to 15 years (van Staaden 1994). In captivity, one specimen was 20.6 years of age when it died (Ronald Nowak 1999).

via IUCN

Wikidata facts

Mass: 725
Image: Meerkat (Suricata suricatta).jpg

Show 9 more facts

taxon name: Suricata suricatta
Commons category: Suricata suricatta
Commons gallery: Suricata suricatta
taxon common name: surykatka szara
gestation period: 11
longest observed lifespan: 20.6
start time: 3600000-00
sequenced genome URL: www.ensembl.org/Suricata_suricatta
short name: S. suricatta

Sources (2)

via Wikidata · CC0

~27 min read

Article

17 sections

Contents

Etymology
Taxonomy
Phylogeny and evolution
Characteristics
Ecology and behaviour
Social behaviour
Burrowing
Vocalisations
Diet
Reproduction
Distribution and habitat
Threats and conservation
In culture
See also
References
Further reading
External links

Meerkats are highly social, and form packs of two to 30 individuals each that occupy home ranges around in area. There is a social hierarchy—generally dominant individuals in a pack breed and produce offspring, and the nonbreeding, subordinate members provide altruistic care to the pups. Breeding occurs around the year, with peaks during heavy rainfall; after a gestation of 60 to 70 days, a litter of three to seven pups is born.