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  • Meerkat

    Meerkat

    Suricata suricatta

    Meerkats show a pronounced territorial behavior. They defend an area of up to 15 km2. In this area they build 6 to 10 burrows, which consist of a chamber, to which several meter-long corridors lead. There they sleep, seek shelter and raise their young.
    During the search for food, at least one animal always keeps watch. They look for a good vantage point on hills or trees. If danger threatens, the others are warned with sharp barks or growls. Although the guards sound the alarm, they themselves are usually the first to disappear into the saving burrow. Overnight, the animals lose up to 5% of their body weight, which makes the search for food during the day all the more important.

    Related to Carnivora, Mongoose
    Habitat Grassland and scrubland
    Mode of life Diurnal
    Social structure Groups from 10 to 30 animals
    Diet Insects, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles
    Weight 0.5 to 1 kg
    Mating season all year round, depending on food supply
    Gestation time 11 Weeks
    Litter size Up to 5 young
    Age of sexual maturity At approx. 9 months to one year
    Life expectancy Up to 23 years
    At Zurich Zoo since 2020

    Distribution

    Verbreitungskarte Erdmännchen

    Animal Voice

    1. Alarm "ground predator", far to medium close (50-200m)
    2. Alarm "snake or predator droppings", large excitation
    3. Alarm "snake or predator droppings", medium excitation
    4. Alarm "predator", far to medium close (200-1000m)

    Source: Kalahari Meerkat Project, University of Zurich

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    C. Wettstein, Meilen
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    M. Blatter, Bülach
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    Babies

    Born:
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    Conservation status

    IUCN RedList