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Meerkats
- A highly sociable animal, the meerkat lives in groups of up to 50 individuals
- They can be found in the arid regions of southern Africa.
- Meerkats are not as loveable as thought - dominant females kill and eat their rivals' young.
- Each group is usually comprised of a dominant pair and helpers of both sexes.
- In each group, the dominant male and female are usually the only ones to successfully breed.
- Meerkats are cooperative breeders, which means that non-breeding adults assist in the care of young
- The pups remain in the burrow for three weeks, where they are ‘babysat’ by helpers.
- For the first three months young meerkats are fed by the helpers, whilst also being taught how to catch their own food.
- An elder meerkat will take on the responsibility of teaching a pup the do's and don'ts of being a meerkat. This includes how to raise young, how to forage for food, and what dangers lurk about.
- Studies show that the pups that make the loudest begging calls get fed the most from the elders.
- Male meerkats tend to mentor male pups and female meerkats tend to mentor the female pups.
