Meerkat is a small burrowing animal of Africa. It lives from southwestern Angola to South Africa. The meerkat, also called suricate, is found in open, dry country where the ground is hard and stony.
Adult meerkats measure about 20 inches (51 centimeters) long, including a tail of about 8 inches (20 centimeters). They weigh about 2 pounds (900 grams). Meerkats have front feet with strong, curved claws for digging, and stocky hind legs. They have broad, rounded heads and sharply pointed noses. Most meerkats are silvery-brown, with dark bands across their backs.
Meerkats live in underground colonies of up to 30 individuals. Their burrows have many tunnels and entrances. Meerkats leave their burrows only during the day. They often stand upright, exposing their chests and bellies to the sun. They also stand upright to search for large birds that hunt them. Meerkats eat mostly spiders and insects, including beetles and grasshoppers.
