The Meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal of the Mongoose family. At Trotters World of Animals the core of our Meerkat family is made up of Dave, born at Edinburgh Zoo in 2002 and Judy, born in Chester Zoo, 2009. They had their first litter together in 2010 and we are
growing their group or “mob/clan” of Meerkats which could grow to be 20 plus!
Meerkats have an average life span of 12-14 years and in the wild they live in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert and in South Africa. Weighing around 720-730g, their bodies are only 25-35cm with a tail of up to 25cm which it uses to balance when standing sentry. They have 2cm claws on the end of their fingers which are used for burrowing and digging for prey.
They have no foraging stores so have to feed daily on insects, but they also eat lizards, snakes, scorpions, eggs and centipedes to name but a few. Unlike humans, the Meerkat is immune to the venom of the scorpion!
Popularised by TV programme Meerkat Manor, the Kalahari Desert’s favourite Meerkats demonstrate how easy it is for family feuds to split the group, splintering into new mobs—a new start and a new family—just like Dave and Judy at Trotters.
Matt - Carnivore Keeper
If you love Meerkats why not Adopt a Meerkat today?
