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MEERKAT

Suricata suricatta

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DESCRIPTION

Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small, lively mammals native to southern Africa. Known for their adorable habit of standing upright on their hind legs, they act as lookout scouts for their group. With their sharp eyes and social nature, they live in large families, hunting insects, digging for roots, and keeping an eye out for predators. Always curious and playful, meerkats are famous for their teamwork, taking turns to keep watch and even grooming each other in their tight-knit clans!

 

DIET

Meerkats are primarily insectivores, but their diet is quite varied. They primarily hunt insects, such as termites, beetles, and grasshoppers, which make up a large part of their diet. However, they are opportunistic eaters and will also feast on small vertebrates, including lizards, small birds, and rodents. Additionally, meerkats enjoy fruits, berries, and roots, particularly during times when insects are less abundant. They are also known to raid bird nests for eggs. Their diverse diet helps them adapt to the changing conditions of their desert and savanna habitats.

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OUR ANIMAL FAMILY
ANIMAL FACTS

MEERKAT

GROUP NAME

Mobs

Native To

SIZE

25 - 35cm (including tail)

BABY NAME

Pup

Habitat

Meerkats are native to the southern regions of Africa, particularly in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. They thrive in arid deserts, savannas, and scrublands, where they dig elaborate underground burrows for shelter and safety. These burrows help them escape the harsh heat and evade predators. Meerkats prefer open, dry landscapes, where they can easily spot danger and forage for insects, plants, and small animals. Their habitats offer the perfect environment for their highly social, digging lifestyle.

Did You Know?

Meerkats are expert diggers! They dig elaborate burrows to escape predators and to find food, using their sharp claws to create tunnels and chambers underground.

Stand Tall: Meerkats are famous for standing upright on their hind legs to scan their surroundings for predators, looking like little soldiers on guard.

Natural "Watchdogs": Meerkats take turns being the lookout! One member of the group stands on its hind legs to keep an eye out for predators while the others forage or rest.

Social Superstars: Meerkats are incredibly social and live in large family groups. They even help raise each other’s babies, with the entire mob pitching in to care for the young.

MEET OUR

ANIMAL FAMILY

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Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devils are primarily solitary animals, living in territories that may intersect other individual’s territories. Each territory will have 3-4 dens, which can be utilised for years, especially by females with young.

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AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

Early in the morning the alligator moat may seem eerily empty, with only eyes and nostrils breaking the surface. Once the sun rises, the basking giants create an entirely different scene.

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Lorikeet

Calling all bird lovers to our walk through Lorikeet enclosure. Enjoy our stunning Lorikeets flying around and possibly even landing on you!

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Lion

Lions can run at about 55km/h but their prey average around 80km/h, they must get as close as possible to their dinner without being seen

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Binturong

Binturongs, with their prehensile tails, dark fur, and mysterious demeanor, appear almost mythical, evoking a sense of enchantment and intrigue.

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Wombat

Common Wombats are a short, robust marsupial native to south-east Australia and Tasmania

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DROMEDARY CAMEL

The Domedary Camel has a single hump, which stores fat the Camel can break down when resources are scarce.

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Dingo

Dingoes do not bark as is the case with domestic dogs. The alpha male and female will usually be the only breeding pair in the pack, with other subordinate members assisting in the rearing of pups.

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RING-TAILED LEMUR

Ring Tiled Lemurs 'sun worship' which means they face their tummies to the sun and stretch their arms out wide to warm themselves up.

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AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

An alligator's tail is very powerful and can propel them through the water, but being solid muscle makes them heavy and slower on the land

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GIRAFFE

Gotti, our first giraffe calf born at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, is full of curiosity and confidence. Under his mother’s watchful eye, he loves to run and explore his habitat with boundless energy.

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MEERKAT

The role of ‘sentry’ is crucial to a meerkat mob’s safety and security. Always vigilant, the sentry stands guard, scanning the surroundings for danger while the rest of the group foragers without fear of predators.

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BLACK-HANDED SPIDER MONKEY

With long limbs and prehensile tails, spider monkeys are expert climbers. Watching them traverse great heights, swinging and leaping with effortless grace, their agility is undeniable.

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Koala

Koalas are not a bear, but are in fact a marsupial. Koalas have thick fur that ranges from very light to very dark grey on the head and body, with white patching on the bottom, chest and ears.

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PLAINS ZEBRA

Zebras are a highly social species, living in complex social systems. See zebra herds in NSW at Mogo Wildlife Park and Hunter Valley Wildlife Park

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