Meerkat
In the wild
Scientific name: Suricata suricattai
Status:Classified as Least Concern
Distribution: South Africa
Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
At Marwell Wildlife
The meerkats are fed three times a day on a mixed diet of meat, fruit, vegetables and cat biscuits. As part of the enrichment programme foliage is sometimes introduced to the enclosure to encourage new smells and covers for the meerkats to explore.
About Meerkats
Meerkats are highly sociable animals, living in large colonies. They are active during the day and enjoy basking in the sun. They have powerful claws which they use to excavate tunnels to flee to for safety and to sleep in.
Meerkats work as a team, sharing the work load of keeping guard and baby-sitting. When on sentry duty, the meerkat stands on its hind legs using the tip of the tail for support.
Threats to Meerkats in the wild are mainly from birds of prey. Their eyes can pick out birds even when they are high in the sky. The Meerkat on guard gives an alarm call and the colony flees to safety.
Adopt a Meerkat from £50.00
Our General Adoption scheme includes all this:
- A special Adoption Certificate
- A fridge magnet of a Meerkat
- A photo of a Meerkat
- A ticket to Marwell Wildlife
- An annual subscription to Marwell News
- Meerkat fact sheet
- Presentation folder
- Access to online Adopters Zone from December 2009
Want to help even more? Choose Premium Adoption below!