Slender-tailed Meerkat
Hi! I’m a Slender-tailed Meerkat
The Slender-tailed Meerkat is found in wide distribution in southern Africa. Although they are excellent diggers, Meerkats usually live in burrows dug by other animals. They live in large groups of up to 30 individuals called a mob, gang or clan. Meerkats live in a matriarchal society, which means that the dominant female is the leader of the mob.
While most mob members forage, some act as lookout sentries, especially for hawks and other aerial predators. Sentries stand on their hind legs at vantage points (e.g. mounds, rocks and bushes) so they can get a better view of approaching predators.
The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 11 Meerkats.
Meerkat Facts
Taxonomy
Suricata suricatta
Population Movement
Stable
Current Animals
Oleg, Kai, Kivuli, Zeke, Zali, Sergei, Sudi, Surabi, Semush, Minky, Mali
Life Span (captive)
12 to 14 years
Weight
0.6-1kg
Reproduction
Can have anywhere from 1 to 8 in a litter. Most common litter size is 3. In the wild, females tend to have 3 litters a year.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Group Count
11
Life Span (wild)
8 years
Size
24-35cm length
Gestation
11 weeks
Distribution
Meerkats inhabit portions of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, extending from the southwest arid biotic zone and eastward into neighbouring southern savanna, and grassland areas.
Meerkats inhabit the most open and arid country of any mongoose species. They are found in areas of savannah and open plains and their distribution depends on soil type, with firm to hard soils being common living grounds.