Slender Tailed Meerkat
Slender Tailed Meerkats are native to the Kalhari Desert of Botswana, the Namid Desert of Nambia, Angola and South Africa. They are small animals, 35 – 50 cm (14 – 24 in) plus a tail of about 25 cm (10 in). They have long claws used for digging.
They live in clans of about 20 and up to 50 individuals in large underground networks which they dig. Each group is led by a dominant male and female. They can live 12 – 24 years in the wild.
Their food consists of insects and other small animals including lizards, snakes, scorpions and spiders.
They live in clans of about 20 and up to 50 individuals in large underground networks which they dig. Each group is led by a dominant male and female. They can live 12 – 24 years in the wild.
Their food consists of insects and other small animals including lizards, snakes, scorpions and spiders.
Fun Facts
Despite their “cute” look these animals would not make suitable pets. They are aggressive and they mark their territory with scent.
scientific classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivera
Family
Herpestidae
Genus
Suricatta
Species
S. suricatta
did you know?
Meerkats sometimes share their burrows with other species including the yellow mongoose and ground squirrels.
When on the surface and searching for food one or two individuals are always on guard to warn of danger from predators.
Our “mob” of Meerkats live at the reptile house.
Where to find us
They have a large outdoor viewing area on the north side of the building.
