Ten fun facts about Meerkats
Fact 1
Meerkats live up to about 10 to 14 years or more. They suffer from poor vision at short range though they have excellent long range eyesight.
Fact 2
These animals exhibit altruistic behavior when living in colonies or groups of about 25. One of the meerkats from the colony stands guard as a designated sentry while the others forage.
Fact 3
When a colony gets overcrowded the meerkats typically disperse and form smaller groups to ensure that there will be enough food for all.
Fact 4
Meerkats share burrows with yellow mongooses and ground squirrels and in some instances, snakes. They are immune to poison from snakes and scorpions. They live near stony rivers and banks of rivers, deserts and on hard ground.
Fact 5
A meerkat will at some point kill its subordinates as a way to improve the position of their own offspring. On occasion they will also take part in wrestling matches and other social activities.
Fact 6
Meerkats can dig up dirt that is almost their body weight. They can look directly into the sun and signal with their tails which are also used to balance. They open or close their ears to keep sand out when burrowing and blink often to remove dirt from their eyes.
Fact 7
They eat snakes, spiders, scorpions, lizards, plants eggs and other creepy crawlies.
Fact 8
They survey the territory on their hind legs.
Fact 9
A male meerkat can weighs up to 731 gm while a female will typically weigh 720 grams.
Fact 10
These animals can run at a speed of up to 37 miles per hour.
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