Table of Contents



Chapter 1 = Interesting introduction

Chapter 2 = Slender speed

Chapter 3 = Dry desert

Chapter 4 = Ferocious feast

Chapter 5 = Circle of Life

Chapter 6 = Closing comments

Chapter 7 = Very important vitals

Chapter 8 = Glossary

Chapter 9 = Bibliography

Chapter 10 = About the author

Chapter 1 = Interesting Introduction

Animals can be found in the backyard, at the local zoo, and all over the world. Domesticated animals can also be found in your house. Many animals are not domesticated, such as the meerkat. I decided to research this animal because I love animals from Africa. The scientific name for this animal is suricata suricatta. This desert animal belongs to the mongoose family. Currently, this animal is not endangered.

A meerkat's small body helps it move quickly through the desert land.

Chapter 2 = Slender Speed

Meerkats are catlike members of the mongoose family. They are identified by their long, slender bodies, short, flat ears, and their ability to stand on their back legs. This small desert dwelling animal often has a light brown coat which helps it blend in with the dry, desert sand. Standing less than a foot tall, this tiny creature is able to move swiftly through the African desert and stay one step ahead of predators. The animal weighs about the same as a squirrel which explains how it is able to move so easily and rapidly. The oval shaped eyes help the meerkat get a wide, horizontal view of the desert and stay one step ahead of predators.

The meerkat huddles safely inside a burrow in the African desert.

Chapter 3 = Dry Desert

This adorable animal lives in the dry parts of southern Africa with all of its family members. It prefers open, sandy land to thick, dense vegetation when building burrows. Woody areas are among the least favorite habitats for this small mammal. Additionally, the intense African heat is no trouble for the meerkat. They enjoy habitats with daytime temperatures well into the high 90s. On a warm, sunny day it would be common to see this animal sunbathing while still on high alert for predators.

A hungry meerkat is ready to start hunting for beetles.

Chapter 4 = Ferocious Feast

Using its long claws, a meerkat will dig ferociously after prey hidden deep in the ground. A light lunch might consist of beetle larva and scorpions. However, this animal is not a picky eater. Anything that pops out of a hole after digging will be pounced on and enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In order to kill a live animal, the small but mighty meerkat will bite the prey behind the head and then tear it apart with its sharp claws.

A family of meerkats keeping watch in the dry desert.

Chapter 5 : Circle of Life

Young meerkat pups are usually excited to help the older animals take care of the very young because mothers often have their hands full since it is possible to give birth to up to eight pups at a time. More commonly, there are three -four pups born at a time after a gestation period of about two months. At birth, these small animals weigh only an ounce and require a lot of attention. The whole family, including the male and siblings, pitch in to help since the babies are born deaf, blind, and very vulnerable. The mothers provide nutrition through milk, and, at 18 months, these animals are old enough to become parents.