WHERE TO FIND MEERKATS?

The meerkat is a small burrowing mammal that belonging to the mongoose family.

Meerkats live in southern part of Africa which is dominated by the Kalahari desert. the Kalahari spreads over the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

The Kalahari desert has little rainfall and an arid climate with open plains.

It is located across the Southern part of Africa covering over one million square miles - that is 10 times the size of Great Britain!

This land is covered by a porous or soft sand that in many places is found to be bright orange in colour. Meerkats like the soft sand when digging for food as it reduces the amount of energy required to live in this harsh environment. However, they prefer compact sand to build their burrows with, which would collapse in softer sands.

Meerkats live in large underground networks with multiple entrances which they leave only during the day. Meerkat groups utilize several different burrows and move from one to another throuout the day. Each burrow is an extensive tunnel-and-room system that remains cool even under the broiling African sun.

Meerkats are unusual  - but not unique - in their behaviour as they display concern for the welfare of others within their colonies. One or more meerkats stand sentry while others are foraging or playing, so that they can warn them of approaching dangers. When a predator is spotted, the meerkat performing as sentry gives a warning bark, and other members of the gang will run and hide in one of the many bolt holes they have spread across their territory.

The sentry meerkat is the first to reappear from the burrow and search for predators, constantly barking to keep the others underground. If there is no threat, the sentry meerkat stops signalling and the others feel safe to emerge.

Meer - facts!

1. According to African popular belief, the meerkat is also known as the sun angel, as it protects villages from the moon devil or the werewolf which is believed to attack stray cattle or lone tribesmen.

2. The word 'meerkat' is Dutch for 'lake cat', but the meerkat is not in the cat family, and neither are they attracted to lakes.

3. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan".  A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members.

4. In captivity, meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years, and about half this in the wild.

5. Meerkats are immune to certain types of venom, including the very strong venom of the scorpions, unlike humans.

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Based on an article from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat and http://www.meerkats.net/info.htm
Images care of http://animal.discovery.com/mammals/meerkat/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat_Manor and http://www.wunderground.com/blog/mowi/comment.html?entrynum=2