Meerkat Research Paper

The Meerkat
Erika Mercado
Zoology 1406

4/11/2013

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Herpestidae
Genus: Suricata
Specific epithet: Suricata suricatta

The meerkat, Suricata suricatta, is a miniature mammal belonging to the mongoose family. They belong to the order Carnivora, and they are classified in their own family the Herpestidae. They were formerly included within the Viverridae, a very old carnivore family that includes civets and genets. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013) Mongooses have long bodies, four short legs, and long tails. Many kinds of mongooses live alone while others live in small groups. Meerkats live together in large group of numbers. A group of meerkats are usually
When the meerkat stands up straight on its hind legs, they are about 10 to 12 inches tall. The meerkats have an 8 to 9 inch slender tails which they use for balance when standing up. They have only four toes on each foot, and the toes on the front feet have long claws which are used for digging and climbing. The color of their coats varies from dark to grizzled light gray or tan, with broad dark bands across the back and a black-tipped tail. The meerkat has a pointed snout with lots of tiny, sharp teeth. Their ears and eyes have special features to keep the sand out. They are able to close their ears, and their eyes have a membrane called the nictitating membrane that removes sand with a blink. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013) Their eyes are also darkly rimmed, which reduces glare and enhances their vision in the bright desert sun. During the day the meerkats spread on their bellies on the damp earth or warm rocks, or stand upright with their bellies facing toward the sun to help regulate their body temperature. (Burton & Burton, 2002) Meerkas also maintain their body temperature by including group nesting and retreating to the
There is also a dominant female which is usually the largest female in the pack that produces more litters than other females. Females compete more intensely than males to gain dominance. (Clutton-Brock, 2006) This is highly unusual because in most animal species, the males tend to compete more strongly for breeding opportunities. Females may have to compete more intensely than males to keep other females from breeding. According to Timothy Clutton-Brock, dominant females ensure their status by typically having male characteristics, including high levels of testosterone and higher body mass. Meerkats breed throughout the year, but most births take place around October through April. (Burton & Burton, 2002) The pups are born in a grass-line nest in the burrow. Pups won’t emerge from the burrow until they’re about three weeks old. Their eyes begin to open on the tenth day and by then are completely covered with hair. The pups don’t fully grow their adult coat for at least 2 months from birth. Meerkats are unusual among carnivores in that the pups are raised with the assistance of adults other than the parents. (Clutton-Brock, 2006) They assist with the feeding, defending and babysitting the pups when the alpha female takes off to forage for food. In the pack there are also beta males and beta females. Beta males will sometimes voluntarily leave the pack to become a new dominant