Meerkat

desert · teamwork · mongoose

Built to dig. Meerkats have strong front claws perfect for digging burrows and hunting for food in the dry, sandy ground of southern Africa.

Big-eyed lookouts. With a broad head, big eyes, and a pointed snout, meerkats are always watching for danger while their family searches for food.

Pocket-sized. A meerkat's body is only about 24 to 35 cm long and it weighs less than a kilogram, about as heavy as a big bag of sugar.

Heat survivors. Meerkats can control their body temperature to survive their harsh, hot, and dry desert home.

Stripy coat. Their fur is light grey to yellowish-brown with faint dark bands across the back, helping them blend into the dusty landscape.