: Kelly Coulson Grade8

Meerkats

Meerkats live in the grassland burrows in the Kalahari deserts and parts of south Africa. They share their burrows with squirrels and the yellow mongoose. Meerkats are territorial and protective, they look after their burrow if other meerkats try to take over. If the food supply near their burrow decreases they make a new one in a different are, this happens several times a year.

Habitat

There are three types of Meerkats: Suricata siricata from South Africa, they’re orange or brown. Suricata majoriae from Nimibia are white wand banded around the eyes. Suricata iona from Angola have orange bodies and grey heads. They are the 4th subspecies of meerkats. Suricata is the other form of saying Meerkat.

Subspecies

Meerkats are members of the Mongoose family. The can stand from 10-14 inches tall and they weigh 1.5-2 lbs. Their tales length is bewteen 6 and 10 inches. They use their tale as a tripod to stand in a upright position. Their ears are closeable to prevent sand from going when they dig their burrows. Their coat is colored brown, tan, orange or grey. Their strips and patterns on their back is different from each meerkat. The uperside of the meerkat is sparsely furred, showing dark skin underneath. They use this to soak up the sun and heat for warmth.

Characteristics