Team Meerkat

Distraction tactics

eerkats can group together in order to frighten off creatures many times their size.
One tactic employed is boisterous group digging that appears to serve no purpose other than to produce clouds of dust that distract the opposition. A further approach is to march towards the opponent with hair bristling in a succession of false offensives.

Each individual undertakes a role that ultimately benefits the entire group, and these include sentries, hunters, teachers and baby-sitters.

Such aggressive displays by Meerkats include body arching, leg stretching, head lowering and tail raising in attempts to look as big as they can. The grand finale culminates in the whole group repeatedly leaping in the air and growling. If an adversary still remains at this point, courageous individuals add to the show by spitting at or biting the assailant.

In order to defend itself a Meerkat flings itself on its back, bares its teeth and extends its claws in the direction of its aggressor.

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The sentry alerts the group to any danger with a barking sound. Other vocalisations involve chirrups, trills and growls, and the tail is also used in communication signals.

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Dealing the Killer Blow

'Teachers' are those that show juveniles how to hunt, by explaining how the different types of prey should be tackled. Meerkats dig through sandy soil using a combination of their claws and an acute sense of smell to root out prey. When its quarry is sighted the Meerkat hits out with its claws and then deals a killer bite. The paws are then used to hold the prey against the ground whilst the teeth are used to tear it apart.