VIDEO

VIDEO

Meet the Meerkats

Meet the Meerkats

A meerkat is a mammal of the mongoose family. Its habitat is the Kalahari Desert.

Grades

1 - 8

Subjects

Biology, Geography, Physical Geography

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The meerkat is a species of mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Its habitat is the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. Meerkats function cooperatively in a group led by a female meerkat. The dominant female leader is called a matriarch.

Fast Fact

  • All meerkats in a mob care for the offspring of the dominant female, or matriarch.

Fast Fact

  • Meerkats follow the lead of the dominant female when battling predators or other meerkat mobs.

Fast Fact

  • When the dominant female dies, she is replaced by one of the oldest and biggest females of the group.

Fast Fact

  • All meerkats in a mob take care of the female leader's babies.

Fast Fact

  • Meerkat babies are called pups.

Fast Fact

  • Meerkats follow the lead of the matriarch when battling dangerous animals or other meerkat mobs.

Fast Fact

  • When the matriarch dies, the oldest and biggest female becomes the new leader.
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Writer
Jeanne Wallace-Weaver, Educational Consultant
Editor
Anne Haywood, NGS Explorer, Mountain to Sea Education
National Geographic Program
Meerkats 3D
other
Last Updated

September 6, 2024

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