Field notes on the Meerkat 'Igala' ... Never far from Its Addo home
Meerkats never stray too far from their warren. They need their burrows for protection from predators and from cold. Good places to spot meerkats are the open areas near Domkragdam and Woodlands.
The first animal you spot will probably be a 'sentry' on the look-out for predators, especially birds of prey. It will probably be in a raised position for a good view. If it spots danger it will make an alarm call and all the meerkats will dive into burrows.
Family life
Meerkats live in close social groups, of 10-30 animals, where members share out the group chores, like sentry duty. Any meerkats not in the group will be attacked and may even be killed.
Young meerkats are babysat. There can be up to five young per litter, so baby-sitting can be quite a task!
What are they doing?
It is worth stopping and watching the meerkats for a while. Besides sentry duty and baby-sitting, here are some other activities you may spot.
Sun-bathing and grooming
Meerkats begin their day warming up in the sun. This is also the time when most of the grooming takes place.
Digging
Meerkats are well designed for digging. They have long curved claws on their front legs and they can close their ears to stop soil and debris from getting inside.
Feeding
Meerkats eat mainly insects, but sometimes spiders, scorpions, reptiles and mice.
Meerkats are very important
- They control the number of insects by eating them.
- Other animals may use the burrows made by meerkats.
The mission of the Addo Elephant National Park is to conserve the faunal and floral assemblages and ecological processes that characterise the unique Eastern Cape region, and to actively present this for the appreciation by visitors.
click
link below for larger mage
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/images/maps/addomap2.jpg to see map of Addo Elephant National Park
