Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

Meerkats show a pronounced territorial behavior. They defend an area of up to 15 km2. In this area they build 6 to 10 burrows, which consist of a chamber, to which several meter-long corridors lead. There they sleep, seek shelter and raise their young.
During the search for food, at least one animal always keeps watch. They look for a good vantage point on hills or trees. If danger threatens, the others are warned with sharp barks or growls. Although the guards sound the alarm, they themselves are usually the first to disappear into the saving burrow. Overnight, the animals lose up to 5% of their body weight, which makes the search for food during the day all the more important.

Related to	Carnivora, Mongoose
Habitat	Grassland and scrubland
Mode of life	Diurnal
Social structure	Groups from 10 to 30 animals
Diet	Insects, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles
Weight	0.5 to 1 kg

Mating season	all year round, depending on food supply
Gestation time	11 Weeks
Litter size	Up to 5 young
Age of sexual maturity	At approx. 9 months to one year
Life expectancy	Up to 23 years


At Zurich Zoo since	2020

Distribution

Animal Voice

Alarm "ground predator", far to medium close (50-200m)
Alarm "snake or predator droppings", large excitation
Alarm "snake or predator droppings", medium excitation
Alarm "predator", far to medium close (200-1000m)

Source: Kalahari Meerkat Project, University of Zurich

Sponsors

	M. Weber, Männedorf
	T. Neithardt, Rümlang
	E. C. Kiefer, Russikon
	E. Gamer, Wetzikon
	B. Barcal, Stallikon
	C. Schneider, Zürich
	C. Hofer, Raleigh USA
	F. Frei, Winterthur
	I. Spillmann, Zürich
	M. R. Meier, Zürich
	I. Ganz, Küsnacht
	M. R. Meier, Zürich
	Familie Garkavenko und Zinchuk
	Gabi und Björn
	M. Brauen, Pfäffikon ZH
	H. Tierbach, Pfäffikon ZH
	C. Wettstein, Meilen
	Familie Bühlmann, Zürich
	D. Imhof, Hörhausen
	C. Hofer, Raleigh USA
	B. Hofer, Raleigh USA
	M. Weiss, Dietlikon
	B. Fernandez, Bülach
	Ch. Egli, Elgg
	C. Christen, Wiesendangen
	B. Arnet, Binz
	J. Wipfler, Zürich
	P. Hoffmann, Wallisellen
	P. Rufer, Uerikon
	J. Hofer, Raleigh USA
	M. + P. Tantanini, Bülach
	N. + H. Hässig-Weber, Buchberg
	M. Elmer, Dübendorf
	E. Hajek, Wangen bei Dübendorf
	A. Wahrenberger, Opfikon
	M. Rüfenacht, Aristau
	I. + P. Zambonin, Uerikon
	S. M. Kaiser, Schlieren
	St. Fankhauser, Hausen AG
	K. Zwyssig, Rotkreuz
	S. Kamm
	M. + Th. Morf, Grafstal
	L. Jossen, Eglisau
	E. + R. Enz, Adligenswil
	I. Rau, Zürich
	E. Rübel, Zürich
	S. Schurter, Thalwil
	B. Joggi + M. Grossmann, Zürich
	M. Isler, Oberglatt
	E. Frick, Zürich
	Netrics Zürich AG, Opfikon
	R. Schaub, Wallisellen
	Th. Alber, Sirnach
	D. Buser-Gingg, Urdorf
	J. Heberle, Uhwiesen
	St. Rudolf, Safnern
	K. Kuberan, Bengaluru
	G. + Th. Rutschmann, Zürich
	B. Meier, Adlikon bei Regensdorf
	A. Zeder, Luzern
	A. + R. Huwyler, Umiken
	E. Müller-Hofer Zürich
	U. à Porta, Thalwil
	B. Schwob, Rüschlikon
	Ch. Kunz, Wald
	G. Kistler, Zürich
	D. + W. Trenka, Zürich
	C. Albiez, Volketswil
	E. Höltschi-Wick, Männedorf
	M. Hug + E. Jacomet, Buch am Irchel
	E. + J. Billerbeck, Binz
	T. Meier, Oberrüti
	St. Büchler, Zullwil
	S. Eberhard, Watt
	S. Keim, Regensdorf
	B. + D. + S. Helbling, Winterthur
	M. Breu, Tann
	E. Mettler, Küsnacht
	P. Bösch, Brütten
	S. Gisler, Zürich
	M. Buchsbaum, Glattfelden
	Familie T. Riedo, Port
	B. Nievergelt, Zürich
	S. Oehler, Dottikon
	Familie Ninkovic Jakob, Zürich
	T. Suter, Neftenbach
	C. Langenegger, Künten
	M. Sommer, Cazis
	M. Schmeier, Rotkreuz
	Th. Alder, Hombrechtikon
	S. + P. Geiser, Meilen
	M. Blatter, Bülach
	R. Anliker, Bern
	Th. Kaufmann, Messen
	S. Schneider Boxler, Luzein
	4Plus Service AG, Zürich
	L. Streit, Wildegg
	G. Lecic, Kriens
	F. Busch, Urdorf
	M. Butscher, Regensdorf
	H. Zünd, Uster
	E. + Ch. Giè, Bigorio
	R. + J. Gehring, Wiesendangen
	PROBON Detaillisten-Vereinigung ZH-Unterland
	A. Beffa, Bachenbülach
	F. Stadler, Seengen
	W. Müller, Fehraltorf
	St. Stüssi, Flüelen
	V. Andrighetto, Wermatswil
	ADHS Potenzial, Muri AG
	Familie Baumann
	Th.Th. Vu, Küsnacht
	H. Meyer, Meyrin
	K. + Th. Benz, Wettingen