Suricate
wildlife of Namibia
Introduction: The suricate (Suricata suricatta) is sometimes referred to by its Afrikaans name of meerkat, or ant cat, referring to it's ant-eating diet and associated foraging by sifting sand and 'probing crevices'. They have long front claws, a rounded, broad head tapering to a short, sharp-pointed muzzle accentuated by dark circles around the eyes. Suricate generally avoid desert and dense bush but it's presence in the Namib Desert can be accounted for by a tendency to burrow in dry river beds. Much is made of their social habits which include a babysitting and feeding service; helpers remaining with the kittens whilst others forage for food or keep sentry duty.
Distribution: Common through Namibia and does occur in the Namib Desert, but absent from the entire north-eastern region of the country.
Diet: Insects such as beetles, small Namibian reptiles (geckos). Tubers and bulbs of plants.
Colouring: Body fur is brown-grey with some dark fringes on the back, with a slightly darker tail.
Breeding: Between 1 and 3 litters are produced annually depending on rainfall, peaking in January to March.
Size: Total length of 450-550mm. Tail: 200-240mm. Weight: 620-960g.
Show-biz news: The Lion King, released in 1994 by Disney, featured a meerkat called Timon. The Clan of the Meerkats, a television series was created in 2005 and aired on Animal Planet. Other documentaries, adult novels and TV adverts followed.
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