Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are mammals and belong to the order of predators and the mongoose family. Biologically, they belong to creeping cats, but are more closely related to bears or hyenas. Meerkats grow up to 30 centimetres long and have a bushy tail about 25 centimetres long. The claws on their paws make it easy to scratch for food. Adult animals weigh about 600 to 900 grams.
Meerkats live in colonies of up to 30 animals. These colonies consist of several families that all live together in one burrow. The meerkat’s habitat is in southern Africa, in the savannah or semi-desert. Meerkats are diurnal animals. However, when it is hot or raining, they stay in burrows underground.
The close cohesion of the group ensures their survival in Africa. When some of the animals in the burrow are busy digging and burrowing underground, there are some animals that are responsible for “securing” themselves. These meerkats stand on their hind legs at their burrow and keep a lookout for enemies. If predators or other enemies approach, they immediately sound the alarm by barking. Then all the meerkats hurry to scurry back into the protective burrows in the burrow.
Meerkats were already kept at @zooaugsburg early on. After a generous donation in 2006, the giraffe house was extended to provide more space for the animals. The picture is from the new enclosure.