Meerkat

body 25 - 35 cm; tail 17.5 - 25 cm

620 - 969 g

average 3 (2 - 5); up to 3 litters per year

approximately 11 weeks

arid, open country of the western parts of southern Africa, characterized by short grasses and sparse woody growth

carnivorous, feeding mostly on invertebrates 

highly social and live in packs consisting of up to 3 familial groups (up to 30 individuals in a pack)

5 - 15 years in the wild; 12 - 20 years in human care