Point of interest
Meerkat
A small predator that combines underground shelter with a watchful life above ground.
Content language
Meerkats inhabit dry, open areas of southern Africa. These small carnivores are active during the day and shelter in networks of underground burrows and tunnels.
They live in groups with an established hierarchy. While some animals search for food, others watch their surroundings, often standing upright. A sentry calls to warn of danger, allowing other members of the group to retreat underground. Standing still on the hind legs is therefore part of a shared lookout system.
Meerkats search for insects, spiders and small vertebrates. They also eat eggs and some underground plant parts. Their food is more varied than a diet consisting only of meat from large animals.
Dark rings surround their eyes, and the slender tail has a black tip. Meerkats often bask in the sunshine. A pause in activity does not necessarily mean that every animal has stopped watching what is happening nearby.
For children
A meerkat is a small predator from southern Africa. It lives in dry, open places and shelters in an underground burrow connected to tunnels. During the day, it goes out to find food. That might be an insect, a spider, an egg or a small vertebrate. It also eats some plant parts.
Meerkats live in groups. While some search for food, others keep watch. They stand upright and look for danger. A warning call tells the others to hide. Dark rings around the eyes and a black tail tip help identify a meerkat. These animals also enjoy basking in the sun. Digging, finding food and keeping watch occupy different parts of their day.
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