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What the sources say

MeerkatSuricata suricatta

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Meerkat profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 49 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Suricata suricatta (meerkat). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysA meerkat is small and slight
The source saysMeerkats are one of the smallest species of mongoosesNote: 'slight' is the same account's 'with slender bodies'
The page sayseach foot carries four long, non-retractable claws
The source saysMeerkats have 4 long, curved claws on each foot.
The page saysA 1994 study found insects made up 82 percent of their diet, with spiders, centipedes, millipedes, reptiles, amphibians, and birds filling out the rest
The source saysA study in 1994 reported that meerkats consumed mostly insects, which make up 82% of their diet, but also consumed spiders (7%), centipedes (3%), millipedes (3%), reptiles (2%), amphibians (2%), and birds (1%).
The page saysThey dig holes deep enough to trap whistling geckos and giant ground geckos
The source saysThey dig holes deep enough to trap geckos, particularly whistling geckos (Ptenopus garrulous) and giant ground geckos (Chondrodactylus angulifer).
The page saysThey also eat several kinds of scorpion
The source saysMeerkats also eat a variety of scorpions in the genera Opistophtalmus and Parabuthus.
The page sayshave been seen disabling one with a bite, then eating it head first
The source saysThey have been observed biting their prey - specifically scorpions - to disable it and then begin eating it starting at the head.
The page saysMeerkats rarely need to drink: they get their fluids from their prey instead
The source saysMeerkats rarely drink water, instead obtaining fluids through their prey.Note: 'need' rests on San Diego's 'Able to survive without drinking water'
The page saysMeerkats mob some of their predators as a group, Cape cobras included
The source saysMeerkats actively deter some of their predators, such as jackals and cape cobras, by mobbing as a group.
The page saystheir mobs range across the dry, open plains, grasslands, and scrub of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa
The source saysextending southeast into Namibia, Botswana, and South AfricaNote: habitat words from the same account: 'arid or semi-arid open plains' and velds 'covered by scrub, grasses, and sparse trees'; the National Zoo: 'dry, open plains, savannas and grasslands'
The page saysDry, open plains, grasslands, and scrub across Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, including the Kalahari Desert
The source saysMany observations of meerkats have been made in the southern region of the Kalahari Desert, which spreads throughout most of Botswana, western Namibia, and northern South Africa.Note: stats.habitat; habitat words as in the body range claim above
The page saysMostly insects, plus scorpions, spiders, millipedes, small reptiles, geckos, eggs, and fruit or roots for moisture
The source saysMeerkats are carnivores and are primarily insectivorous, though they also eat other arthropods and some small vertebrates.Note: stats.diet; component items are the same claims as the diet section above

Source
02

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Meerkat. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The page saysadults run about 24 to 29 centimeters (9 to 11.5 inches) long
The source saysLength: 9 to 11.5 inches (24 to 29 centimeters)Note: ADW (Hill 2023) agrees at 245 to 290 mm head to rump; the National Zoo gives 25 to 35 cm
The page saysweigh just 620 to 969 grams (1.4 to 2.1 pounds)
The source saysWeight: 1.4 to 2.1 pounds (620 to 969 grams)
The page saysDark patches around each eye work like built-in sunglasses, cutting down the sun's glare
The source saysDark patches around their eyes cut down on the sun's glareNote: 'sunglasses' is the profile's own simile for what the source describes as cutting sun glare
The page saysnon-retractable claws built for digging
The source saysvery long, nonretractable claws to help them dig
The page saysmeerkats usually move into burrows dug by other animals, such as ground squirrels
The source saysAlthough they are excellent diggers, meerkats usually live in burrows dug by other wildlife, such as ground squirrels.
The page saysThese average 15 entrances and exits, with tunnels and chambers on several levels, some as deep as 2 meters (6.5 feet)
The source saysThese burrows have an average of 15 entrance and exit holes, with tunnels and chambers at several levels, some as deep as 6.5 feet (2 meters).
The page saysthe deeper tunnels stay at a steady, comfortable temperature whether it is hot or cold outside
The source saysThe deeper tunnels stay at a constant, comfortable temperature, whether it's hot or cold outside.
The page saysMeerkats live in mobs of up to 40
The source sayslarge groups of up to 40 individuals called a gang or a mobNote: sources disagree on the maximum: the National Zoo says 'as many as 30', ADW (Hill 2023) '2 to 50'; San Diego's current figure sits between them and is kept
The page sayswhile the others forage, one adult stands sentry on the highest rock or mound it can find, upright on its hind legs
The source saysadults take turns acting as guard while the others can look for food without worries. The guard climbs to the highest rock, termite mound, or bush he or she can find, stands upright on two legs
The page saysA low, steady peeping called the "watchman's song" means the coast is clear
The source saysIt makes a low, constant peeping, known as the "watchman's song," when all is well.Note: 'means' paraphrases a call given 'when all is well'
The page saysspotting a predator switches it to a bark or whistle, with separate calls for danger on the ground and danger from the air
The source saysIf a predator is spotted, the guard alerts the others with a bark or whistle. There are different calls for land predators and for those coming from the air.
The page saysA mother meerkat brings her pups scorpions with their tails already bitten off, so they can learn to kill them without getting hurt
The source saysShe even brings home scorpions with their tails bitten off, so the young can learn how to kill them without getting hurt.
The page saysMeerkats hunt small prey, some of it dangerous
The source saysthey are able to kill and eat venomous snakes and scorpionsNote: 'small' is ADW's 'primarily insectivorous, though they also eat other arthropods and some small vertebrates'
The page saysAdults have some immunity to a scorpion's sting, though its large pincers can still do plenty of damage
The source saysWhile adult meerkats have some immunity to scorpion stings, a scorpion's large pincers can still do plenty of damage
The page saysVenomous snakes are a job for the whole mob
The source saysMeerkats have been known to kill venomous snakes, but they don't accomplish this task alone
The page saysthey do not tolerate any snake in their midst: the mob attacks at once, biting the snake wherever it can, and the snake soon tires and is overwhelmed
The source saysmeerkats do not tolerate any snakes in their midst. They attack simultaneously and bite the snake wherever possible. It doesn't take long for the snake to tire and become overwhelmed by the unrelenting gang.
The page saysTo larger carnivores, especially jackals, eagles, and falcons, a meerkat is a tasty treat
The source saysthey are a tasty treat for larger carnivores, especially jackals, eagles, and falcons
The page saysmeerkats typically live to about 10 years old
The source saysFor meerkats in human care, median life expectancy is almost 10 years.Note: the Smithsonian's National Zoo page independently agrees: 'Meerkats live for about 10 years in human care.' ADW's captive 12.5 to 20.6 years is AnAge data; the current institution pages win
The page saysSentinel shifts on its hind legs, glare-cutting eye patches, and some immunity to a scorpion's sting, just enough to make it lunch
The source saysthey are able to kill and eat venomous snakes and scorpions without being hurt, as they have some immunity to the venomNote: tagline; the sentinel and eye-patch claims are the same as their body/FAQ entries above
The page saysOne adult stands sentry while the rest of the mob forages, climbing to the highest rock or mound it can find and standing upright on its hind legs
The source saysadults take turns acting as guard while the others can look for food without worries. The guard climbs to the highest rock, termite mound, or bush he or she can find, stands upright on two legsNote: FAQ 1
The page saysA steady, low peeping called the "watchman's song" means all is well
The source saysIt makes a low, constant peeping, known as the "watchman's song," when all is well.Note: FAQ 1; 'means' paraphrases a call given 'when all is well'
The page saysSpotting a predator switches the sentry to a bark or whistle, with a different call depending on whether the danger is coming from the ground or the air
The source saysIf a predator is spotted, the guard alerts the others with a bark or whistle. There are different calls for land predators and for those coming from the air.Note: FAQ 1
The page saysA pup's mother, or another adult in the mob, teaches it what to eat
The source saysYoung meerkats do not know what kind of food to eat, so their mother or another adult teaches them.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysThe mother brings home food and leaps around in front of the pups until they take it from her mouth
The source saysMom brings home whole food such as an insect or lizard and leaps around in front of the pups until they take the food from her mouth.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysbringing one home with its tail already bitten off, so the pups can learn to kill it without getting hurt
The source saysShe even brings home scorpions with their tails bitten off, so the young can learn how to kill them without getting hurt.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysAdult meerkats have some immunity to a scorpion's sting, but its large pincers can still do plenty of damage, and pups have to learn to handle this dangerous food carefully
The source saysWhile adult meerkats have some immunity to scorpion stings, a scorpion's large pincers can still do plenty of damage, and the pups have to learn to deal carefully with this dangerous food item.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysthe meerkat on guard keeps up a low, constant peeping, the "watchman's song," for as long as all is well
The source saysIt makes a low, constant peeping, known as the "watchman's song," when all is well.Note: vibe.reason (settle #954)

Source
03

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Meerkat. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

The page saysa tail that adds another 18 to 25 centimeters
The source saystheir tails are almost as long as their bodies at 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 centimeters)
The page saysmeerkats also eat eggs
The source sayswill also eat small vertebrates, eggs and some plant matter
The page sayssometimes chew on tsama melons or dig up roots for water
The source saysThey may chew on tsama melons and dig up roots for water.

Source
04

Jordan & Do Linh San 2015

Jordan & Do Linh San (2015). Suricata suricatta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T41624A45209377.

The page saysMeerkats are rated Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
The source saysLeast Concern (LC)

Source
05

Clutton-Brock et al. 1999

Clutton-Brock et al. (1999). Selfish Sentinels in Cooperative Mammals. Science.

The page saysone study backs the idea that once a meerkat's own stomach is full, and no one else is on guard, keeping watch is its best use of time
The source saysrecent models suggest that guarding may be an individual's optimal activity once its stomach is full if no other animal is on guard. This paper provides support for this last explanation
The page saysmeerkats given extra food did more guarding
The source saysthe provision of food increases contributions to guarding
The page saysA study of meerkat groups backed a more selfish explanation: once a meerkat's own stomach is full, and no other meerkat is on guard, standing guard may be the best use of its time
The source saysrecent models suggest that guarding may be an individual's optimal activity once its stomach is full if no other animal is on guard. This paper provides support for this last explanation by showing that, in groups of meerkatsNote: FAQ 2; 'selfish' is the paper's title, against the kin-selection and reciprocal-altruism explanations the abstract names
The page saysMeerkats given extra food did more guarding, and went back on guard sooner after a shift
The source saysthe provision of food increases contributions to guarding and reduces the latency between bouts by the same individualNote: FAQ 2

Source
06

Thornton & McAuliffe 2006

Thornton & McAuliffe (2006). Teaching in Wild Meerkats. Science.

The page saysAs pups grow older, the mob's helpers change how they serve up prey, which speeds up the pups' learning
The source sayshelpers alter their prey-provisioning methods as pups grow older, thus accelerating learning

Source
07

Manser 2001

Manser (2001). The acoustic structure of suricates' alarm calls varies with predator type and the level of response urgency. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences.

The page saysthe calls turn noisier the more urgent the danger gets
The source saysLow urgency calls tend to be harmonic across all predator types, while high urgency calls are noisier.
The page saysA rotating sentinel watch with alarm calls graded by urgency, dark eye patches that cut the sun's glare, and some immunity to a scorpion's sting
The source sayshigh urgency calls are noisierNote: stats.superpower; 'rotating' is the National Zoo's 'Individuals rotate sentinel duty throughout the day'; the eye-patch and immunity clauses repeat the body/tagline claims above

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.