Meerkat

scientific name

suricata suricatta

size/weight/height

Head/Body/Length: 10in. -14in.
tail : ~10in.
Weight: 2lbs.

adaptations/coloration

Color: narrow pointed muzzle series of dark stripes running crosswise on back, shoulder and tail lower parts of head and body grizzled yellowish brown or pale gray tail brown darker towards tip with black tuft of hairs at end
Ears: black
Eyes: black rings around eyes

behavior

diurnal
Sociable: live in colonies (avg. 24 but up to 30) often with other mongoose species, ground squirrels or small rodents
Vocalization: chatters a lot
Duties: specialized, e.g hunter, sentry, teacher, babysitter
Burrows: as deep as 10ft
Sleep: in burrows at night
Droppings: deposited in a shared place

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: ~10yrs.
Breeding: mate throughout year
Gestation: 11 weeks
Litter: 2-4 young
Nursed: 8-12 weeks
Sexual Maturity: ~ 1 yr.

diet

Wild: omnivore; insects millipedes, spiders, grubs, lizards, snails, bulbs, roots
Zoo: feline meat, dog chow supplemented with crickets, mealworms etc...

habitat/range

arid open plains and savanna of Southern Africa

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Rain Forest

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