Meerkats: From Real-Life Critters to Disney's Timon

Have you ever seen a meerkat at the zoo or on television? Most children remember the wise-cracking Timon, from Disney's Lion King. They usually live in a community of many other meerkats, and they are known for being social. Within the group, they play and wrestle with each other as the others watch. Meerkats are relatives of the mongoose and are known for catching their prey with their long claws.

The meerkat is furry and weighs about 2 pounds and can be up to 12 inches tall. Their fur is soft and is usually grey and tan, with black stripes across their backs. Most meerkats enjoy the time they spend grooming and hunting together, even though they may not be related. The meerkats will bark when danger is near their home, while some scurry to the safety of their holes.

Most meerkats can stand erect on their own two legs and try to defend their young, even if it cost them their life. Most scientist call a group of 20 meerkat a mob and most of the members answer to the Alpha Pair that rules the group. Each member of the group has a specific job to do, in order to keep their young kits healthy and fed. Some meerkats may babysit, stand guard, share food, or play in the hot sun.

Other meerkats dig many holes underground, which are called dens. Meerkats can be held in captivity, but they dig hundreds of holes that burrow deep. So, keeping them in a certain area can be daunting task, for zookeepers. Many zookeepers and patrons alike, enjoy watching the meerkats when they are playing. However, the meerkats are curious and enjoy watching the humans as well.

All adult meerkats have sharp teeth and they eat many small animals, scorpions, or lizards. Fortunately they are immune to the scorpion's venom. Many adults can use their tail for keeping their balance , when standing on their hind legs. The meerkat is vulnerable to larger predators, because of its dainty size.

The black patches of fur around their eyes actually function as sunglasses. The meerkat usually hit sexual maturity at 12 months of age and begin looking for a mate to start a family with. However, once they have mated, a female meerkat will stay pregnant for about 11 weeks. The babies or kits are helpless at birth, because they are born blind and without hair.

Once the kits are over a month old, their mother begins weaning them and allows them to leave the den. Next, she teaches them to capture their own food. But, the kits are always under the watchful eye of an adult babysitter, whenever they are out of the den. Around 6 months of age they are considered to be full grown.

Generally, a meerkat can live about 10 years, whether they are in the wild or in captivity. They also tend to move around a lot, in order to find food and stay safe in the wild. All meerkats must eat several times a day, because their body is dainty and they can't store any fat. Mainly, meerkats are very social animals, but only within their own group, family or mob.

Believe it not, they, lick, groom, or snuggle, or pile on each other, when they are sleeping or hanging out. Now, there is a show on Animal Planet called Meerkat Manor that showcases several meerkat families. In order to find out more information about the show, go to: www.animalplanet.com/meerkatmanor. At this website, you will be able to follow the daily adventures of these amazing creatures.

Remember, they may be cute and cuddly, but they are wild and can be very dangerous to humans. So, next time you see a meerkat, try to look for the characteristics that make them an individual. Some of them may be unusual in color and some may be more active. Either way, you are bound to enjoy learning more about these unique animals and their way of life.

References:

Thompson, K. (2003) Meerkats
Retrieved on the World Wide Web on September 12, 2007
http://www.whozoo.org/students/kartho/meerkat3.htm