Meerkat Suricata suricatta
Animals in our sanctuary
Wladyslaw (female)
Wladyslaw was kept illegally by a private individual in the Netherlands. Through Stichting AAP, she then happily ended up with conspecifics in De Zonnegloed, her forever home.
Ajani (Male)
Meerkat Ajani was confiscated along with another meerkat, a camel and a group of American red squirrels by Animal Welfare Belgium. The animals were in bad shape and showed signs of neglect (skinny, dull fur, bald tail).
Ania (female)
Meerkat Ania was confiscated along with another meerkat, a camel and a group of American red squirrels by Animal Welfare Belgium. The animals were in bad shape and showed signs of neglect (skinny, dull fur, bald tail).
Jabari (Male)
Jabari, along with other animals, was illegally held by an individual. The animals were voluntary transferred to De Zonnegloed after an inspection by Animal Welfare Flanders, Belgium.
Kymani (Male)
Kymani, along with other animals, was illegally held by an individual. The animals were voluntary transferred to De Zonnegloed after an inspection by Animal Welfare Flanders, Belgium.
Appearance:
Meerkats have short, gray to brownish fur with dark stripes on their backs and a black-tipped tail. Their long eyelashes and dark markings around their eyes help protect them from the bright sun and blowing sand. They have thinly haired bellies, which they use to warm up by basking in the sun.
Behavior:
Meerkats are social animals that live in groups with a clear division of tasks. One dominant pair in the group is responsible for reproduction, while the other members assist in caring for the young. There is always a vigilant member of the group on lookout duty to detect danger, such as birds of prey or jackals. This sentinel warns the group with a barking sound when a threat is near, prompting the meerkats to retreat quickly into their burrows.
Diet:
Meerkats have a varied diet consisting mainly of insects, spiders, scorpions, small birds, snakes, lizards, and rodents. They dig in the ground and under rocks to find food. They rarely need to drink, as they obtain most of their moisture from their food.
Habitat:
Meerkats live in groups in the dry savannas of Southern Africa, particularly in areas with hard soil. They inhabit extensive burrow systems that they dig themselves. These groups, typically consisting of 3 to 20 individuals, provide protection and a strong social structure.
Reproduction:
Meerkats reach sexual maturity at around one year old, and females usually give birth to three pups per litter. The young are born during the rainy season, from August to March, when food is more abundant. A female can give birth multiple times a year. Both parents care for the young, but only the mother nurses them.
Threats:
Meerkats are not considered threatened in the wild, although heavy rainfall can flood their burrows. However, they are well adapted to their environment and maintain a stable population.
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