Meerkat

[ExFmem]

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)

KTP

"Pssst…I hear we're gonna be featured as AFRICA WILD's "Animal of the Month" for August! How cool is that?"

[ExFmem]

While we wait for all the fun photos and facts from all the forumites, why not kick back and take a quiz or two?

1. http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2 ... 22580.html

2. http://www.free-for-kids.com/Animal%20Q ... erkats.pdf

[Amoli]

A super choice ExFMem Most us have the cutest pics...

[Toko]

Most adorable animal

[ExFmem]

Classification: Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Herpestidae



Distribution: Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert including Botswana, much of the Namib Desert, South Africa, and extend into southwestern Angola.

Habitat: semi-desert, scrublands, sparsely wooded or grassy habitat

Description: The Meerkat is a member of the Mongoose family. Its coat is a sandy fawn to silvery grey color with black or dark brown markings.
Weight: 680 - 900 g (1.5 - 2 lbs.)
Body Length: 25 - 35 cm (9.8 - 14 in.)
Tail length: 17 - 25 cm (6.5 - 10 in.)
Life span: Their average life span in the wild is about 10 years with many not making the first year. In captivity meerkats can live up to 15 years.



Adaptations: Many adaptations help meerkats live in their arid, dusty environment in southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Meerkats are built for digging.
* Dark patches around their eyes act to cut down on the sun’s glare, and long, horizontal pupils give meerkats a wide range of vision. They also have color vision. Their eyes have a clear protective membrane (nictitating membrane) that shields them from dirt while digging.
* They also have ears that close to keep out the sand while at work.
* They have four toes (most mongoose species have five) on each foot with 2 cms (0.8 inch) non-retractable claws.

Okay guys n' gals, let's learn all about meerkats and see your favorite pics of these adorable desert dwellers

[ExFmem]

Amoli and Toko Can't wait to see all those wonderful pics I know are out there!

[nan]

nice choice
superb pictures

[Toko]

Meerkat in Addo with a flush of green grasses and flowers

[nan]

and the sun, Toko -O
superb

[Toko]

Waiting for a wet one, nan show us!

Great captures, ExFmem