Mammal
The meerkat
Suricata suricatta
The meerkat is a small diurnal animal originating from southwestern Africa which is recognisable because of its distinctive posture, where it stands upright on its hind legs.
Distinctive features
The meerkat can be recognised by its characteristic posture: its tail helps it to keep its balance and stand easily on its hind legs. Its ears, meanwhile, enable it to be on the lookout for the slightest threat. When digging, they can be folded back along its head to prevent dust from entering. Meerkats vocalise a lot when hunting or sounding the alarm.
Anecdote
At the Zoological Park of Paris, the meerkats share their enclosure with the bat-eared foxes.
Les suricates explorent leur nouvel enclos
© MNHN - F.-G. Grandin
Suricates
© MNHN - F.-G. GrandinSponsor a species
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