Meercats  can see in colour the dark eye markings act as built in sunglasses which help them in their sunny climate. Their feet have four toes and non retractable claws. Their ears are closeable to block out any noise. They are about 12 inches high and should weigh around 2 pounds. They are members of the mongoose family.

Meercats use their dark skinned sparsely furred bellies to warm up as they are most active in the day time, which is known as the "solar panel of the animal world". They use their tail, which is roughly 8 inches long, to balance themselves in their upright position

Meercats live on average 12 to 14 years, however in captivity they can live a lot longer. Meercats will live in groups of between 5 and 35, their group is called a mob or a gang. They always will have one Meercat on the lookout while the others are either hunting or eating, this Meercat can then warn the other members that there is danger. This increases the Meercats chances of survival.

Meercats natural habitatis in Southern Africa/ Kalahari desert, they like to live in Grass lined burrows that are shared with ground squirrels and yellow mongooses. Meerkats will often move several times a year depending on food sources. They are incrediably teritorial and will defend their home fiercly from any other Meerkat mobs. A Meerkats main predators are Marital Ealgles and Jackals.

The Alpha male and female do most of the breeding and they usually have a litter size of 2 -5 and a gestation period of eleven weeks. The breeding season is between October and April, Meerkats will breed all year round in captivity. The babies are born with eyes and ears closed and relativly helpless. The become able to breed at one year old.

Meerkats eat Scorpions (they are immune to their venom), beetles, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, worms, crickets, small mammals, small reptiles, birds, eggs, tubers and roots.