Meerkats
Abstract
What is a meerkat? Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small (<1 kg) mongooses found in arid regions of southern Africa. They feed mainly on insects, arachnids and small vertebrates, and spend much of their time digging in the sand in pursuit of their prey. Unlike many other small mammals in such environments, meerkats are strictly diurnal. By night, they shelter in elaborate burrow systems; at dawn they emerge to roam their territories, which may extend for several square kilometres and encompass dozens of overnight burrows and hundreds of emergency 'bolt-holes' that provide refuge from predators such as eagles or jackals.
- Publication:
-
Current Biology
- Pub Date:
- June 2007
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2007CBio...17.R442R