Britannica Illustrated Science Library: Mammals by Encyclopedia Britannica

Author:Encyclopedia Britannica [Britannica, Encyclopedia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-10-29T23:50:30+00:00

56 BEHAVIOR AND LIFE CYCLE

MAMMALS 57

One for All

MARTIAL EAGLES

Lookout

The most dangerous

enemy they have and the

When a predator is detected, the lookout warns its group MEERKATS ALSO USE

one that kills the greatest

so that all of them can take cover in a nearby hole. This VOCALIZATIONS TO

number of meerkats

role rotates among different members of the group, and COMMUNICATE.

the warning is given by a very wide repertoire of sounds, each of which has a distinct meaning.

Meerkats are small mammals that live in underground colonies, posting guards while the mothers take care of their young. During the day they go above ground to feed, and at night they go into the Defense

SIGHT

VIGILANCE

Binocular and in

burrow to take refuge from the cold. In this large family, color, it allows

FROM ABOVE

1

them to locate

made up of dozens of members, each one fulfills a It is common to see

SURROUNDING

their greatest

them in the highest

THE ENEMY

predators, birds

function. When faced with danger, they employ various places of their

They emit a type of

of prey.

tactics to defend themselves. One of these is the squeal territory on rocks or

tree branches.

squeal. They rock back

that lookouts emit in the face of even slight dangers.

and forth. They try to

appear larger and more

ferocious than they are.

HEAD

is kept

2

permanently

erect, observing

ON THEIR BACKS

MEERKAT

the burrow's

If this tactic fails, they

Suricata

surroundings.

throw themselves down

suricatta

on their backs to protect

12

their necks, showing

inches

ABOUT

their fangs and claws.

(30 cm)

IS THE NUMBER OF

3

Family

Herpestidae

INDIVIDUALS A

30

Habitat

Africa

Weight

PROTECTION

2 pounds

GROUP CAN HAVE.

When it is an aerial

Offspring

2 to 7

(1 kg)

predator, they run to

hide. If taken by

surprise, adults

protect the young.

FEMALES

must dedicate all their

Social Structure

energy to the process

The social structure is extensive and well defined, of reproducing and

feeding and raising

FRONT PAWS

ensuring that everyone has a role to fulfill. The young.

They have

lookouts (which may be female or male) take turns to strong claws,

which they use

sound the alarm over the arrival of strangers; one that is for digging or

better fed replaces another that needs to eat. These to defend

animals are carnivorous. They eat small mammals, as themselves.

well as insects and spiders.

OFFSPRING

When the father or

mother standing watch

gives the cry of danger, all

run to hide in the burrow.

MALES

defend their territory

and stand watch. The

dominant male is the

reproducer.

Territory

HIND FEET

TRIPOD TAIL

They support

The area defended provides the food

BURROWS

Meerkats use it

BLACK-BACKED JACKAL

themselves on

The meerkats' largest

necessary for the group's subsistence.

They dig them with

to balance

their hind feet

predator. To detect one

Males devote themselves to defense,

their sharp claws

themselves when

when they

before it is seen is of prime

and when resources run out the group

and leave them only

they are in an

remain standing,

importance for the colony.

migrates to another area.

during the day.

upright position.

keeping watch.

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