Physical FeaturesPhysical Features Meerkats are about 2 feet long. Meerkats are about 2 feet long. An adult Meerkat only weighs 2 pounds.An adult Meerkat only weighs 2 pounds. Their ears are almost totally covered by fur.Their ears are almost totally covered by fur. They have brownish yellow fur.They have brownish yellow fur. Meerkats have long fur and a small pointed head with a black Meerkats have long fur and a small pointed head with a black

nose, and black eyes.nose, and black eyes. They have short arms and legs.They have short arms and legs. Little mouth and pointy nose.Little mouth and pointy nose. Small ears close to head.Small ears close to head.

Species Species

Meerkats are apart of the mongoose Meerkats are apart of the mongoose family.family.

People say they are related to cats People say they are related to cats but they are not related to cats. but they are not related to cats.

Meerkats are mammals.Meerkats are mammals.

Habitat and LandformHabitat and Landform They live in dry grasslands and rocky places.They live in dry grasslands and rocky places. Meerkats live in deserts and other dry places.Meerkats live in deserts and other dry places. They live on land and hunt on land.They live on land and hunt on land. Even though people call Meerkats, “Lake Even though people call Meerkats, “Lake

Cats”, they don’t actually live in water and Cats”, they don’t actually live in water and don’t really like to swim.don’t really like to swim.

Climate

The climate for a Meerkat’s habitat is very, very hot. In the day, where Meerkats live, it’s really, really, hot

in the desert, but in the nighttime, it’s very cold, and even sometimes below freezing!

In the desert, the temperature is 122 degrees f.

Lifespan A Meerkats lifespan is 12 to

14 years in the wild. Meerkats live 12 years or

over in captivity. Meerkats also are not

endangered. Meerkats are not

endangered but when people come to live in their habitat, it threatens the meerkat’s home and sometimes the people might threaten the Meerkats lives.

Prey and Predator

Prey Mice Insects Rats

Predator Eagles Vultures Jackals Ratels (which are members

of the weasel family)

What They EatMeerkats are omnivores: They eat roots, spiders, centipedes, and

other bugs. They also eat scorpions (but it’s okay for

Meerkats to eat scorpions because they are immune to a scorpion's venom).

ReproductionReproduction After Meerkats mate, in 11 weeks the babies are After Meerkats mate, in 11 weeks the babies are

born. born. When baby Meerkats are born, their eyes and ears When baby Meerkats are born, their eyes and ears

are closed.are closed. Baby Meerkats (called cubs) only weigh 2 ounces. Baby Meerkats (called cubs) only weigh 2 ounces. Cubs are about 10 inches long when they’re Cubs are about 10 inches long when they’re

babies. babies.

Physical AdaptationPhysical Adaptation A meerkat’s soft, brownish fur helps them to camouflage with the ground A meerkat’s soft, brownish fur helps them to camouflage with the ground

so they can hide from enemies.so they can hide from enemies. Their tail is almost the same length as their body.Their tail is almost the same length as their body. They use their tail for balanceThey use their tail for balance When looking for food, meerkats scratch the soil with their claws to get When looking for food, meerkats scratch the soil with their claws to get

their food because sometimes they have to trap their prey.their food because sometimes they have to trap their prey.

Meerkats have dark rings around their eyes that act like built-in Meerkats have dark rings around their eyes that act like built-in sunglasses.sunglasses.

Behavioral Adaptation When a meerkat sees an enemy, it quickly

pops back into it’s burrow so the enemy doesn't see the meerkat.

Since it’s so hot in the desert, meerkats sleep underground because it’s a lot cooler underground.

They dig with claws to get at food and to make a burrow

When they are running from an enemy they are very fast runners.

When meerkats are facing an enemy, if there’s no cover, they bunch up together and hiss and jump towards the intruder, then after the enemy is gone, they celebrate by hugging each other.

Physiological Adaptations

Since meerkats live in the desert, they don’t sweat water instead, they sweat “uric acid” so they don’t lose water in the heat.

Meerkats have a phenomenal sense of smell they use to detect enemies.

Meerkats have sharp teeth that help them chew bugs like centipedes.

Fun Facts

Meerkats share their underground homes with other animals, like ground squirrels, mongooses, and other small animals, but some animals are unwelcome like snakes.

When meerkats mate, the male gets part of his body on the female’s body and latches onto the female’s neck and after that the mating is done.

They live in mobs. So their family stays together in their burrow with other meerkats.

Meerkat burrows are big and you can have 3 to 4 meerkats in one burrow. But there are a lot of rooms in the burrow so you can have more meerkats if there are more rooms.