Slender-tailed Meerkat

Description:

Meerkats live in large groups of up to 40 animals. They have a distinct social behavior. They often seek physical contact, whether by hugging or simply by near Beieinaderstehen. Meerkats are carnivores, that feed on other animals. Because of their small size they are but coveted prey for other predators, such as eagles or Cobra. Therefore, meerkats must be especially vigilant. But be alert keeps on searching for food, so there is a meerkat at the guard, who did not go in search of food. However, it is regularly replaced, so no need to go hungry meerkat in the group. They are among the most social of mammals at all. The dominant female determines where the group lives and even this bitch gets the boys. The father is most likely the highest-ranking males. The female gives birth to the boy in the underground cave sleep. Erdmännchenjunge are altricial, which means they get naked and blind to the world and remain the first few weeks in the nursery. During this time, removed the Erdmännchengruppe foraging not so far from the building as usual. The mother goes on tour with the group, because for them is a good nutrition particularly important in order to have enough milk for their offspring. To breastfeed then comes back. But it also happens that support other females of the group as a nurse, the mother in the rearing. An adult meerkat always stays with the little ones to defend them from predators. The babysitting job at meerkat is hard work, because the bigger the kids get, the harder it is to keep on building.

Habitat:

The Aktiengesellschaft Cologne Zoological Garden