Date Taken: 3/31/2023

Appearance: Small, slender animals that have a brownish-gray fur with darker stripes on their backs, and a distinctive black “mask” around their eyes. Their long, thin tail makes up about a third of their body length.

Habitat: Found in the deserts and grasslands of southern Africa, primarily in the Kalahari Desert. They live in complex burrow systems with multiple entrances and tunnels

Behavior: Highly social animals and live in groups of up to 40 individuals, called gangs or mobs. They are diurnal and spend most of their day foraging for food, primarily insects and small vertebrates. Meerkats are known for their vigilant behavior, with individuals taking turns to act as sentinels to watch for predators while the others forage.

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern