Meerkat

[nan]

who says there is no connection in Kgalagadi

[Lisbeth]

The more pics I see, the more I regret not having seen the little critters

[ExFmem]

Thanks everyone for all your great efforts and contributions
Dewi, that is really a fascinating interaction w/ the drongo!
Mel, the first pic looks like a meerkat and a monkey -O Love the Buddha too
Duke, great pics. They really show the black eye rings that help shade the sun very well!
nan, as always, wonderful contributions from you The "connection" one is -O -O Like little antennas
Liz, I love seeing them as much as I love a leopard sighting. You'll have to get back there SOON
Appreciate everyone who's following along, as well.

[Mel]

I would have to agree with you on the monkey, ExFmem.

But this little one looks alright -O



Seen at Auchterlonie (27/03/2010)

[nan]

cute little one

[ExFmem]

Thanks Mel, ADORABLE

Due to the difference in appearance of the meerkats taken in different areas, I looked up subspecies status. Here's what I found:
Subspecies
There are three subspecies of Meerkat:

Suricata suricatta siricata - Found in South Africa, ranging in color from brown to orange

Suricata suricatta majoriae - Found in Namibia, whitish in color and banded around the eyes

Suricata suricatta iona - Angola-largely confined to the extreme southwestern part of Angola (Iona Nat'l Park)

Suricata suricatta ? -(It is suspected that there is a fourth subspecies but further DNA research is needed to prove this.) Found in the Southern Cape of Africa, orange bodies and gray heads
Note: I cannot find any further updates on this fourth subspecies, so perhaps it did not prove to be distinct. If anyone else can supply any info., please do.
However, pending further research, it seems that all the S.Africa meerkats are the same subspecies, just individual variation.

[ExFmem]

Burrows
Meerkats have long, sharp claws on their front paws that are curved and can grow up to 2cm long.



Naturally, they are excellent diggers.



However, meerkats usually live in burrows dug by other animals such as ground squirrels. These burrows have an average of 15 entrance and exit holes, with tunnels and chambers at several levels, some as deep as 6.5 feet (2 meters). The deeper tunnels stay at a constant, comfortable temperature, whether it's hot or cold outside. A meerkat mob has several burrow systems, complete with toilet and sleeping chambers, within its territory and moves from one to another every few months.They sometimes share their burrows with other ground dwellers such as squirrels and yellow mongooses.



"Freeloaders!"

[Lisbeth]

Your squirrel is just my kind of "person". I love it

[nan]

uncontracted... while Suricate are digging -O

[Lisbeth]

The squirrels are smart ones!