As the sun peaks above the horizon, “Kalala,” one of the eldest meerkat offspring pops out of a den. First a swiftly sniffing nose… then a head, shoulders and a full grizzled-tan and brown body followed by a long pointed tail.  She quickly scans the area before settling in at the main sentry post. Standing at the highest point on the termite mound, she begins what could be a long shift as security guard for her family.  While she is just starting her duty, eighteen other meerkats pile out of the dens and begin their day by basking in the warmth of the early morning sun.  This the Kalahari desert… at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Even though it would be so relaxing to spend all day lounging in the sun, there is much work to be done. “Molly,” the eight year-old alpha female, wastes no time once she has warmed up and begins to search for food by digging in the dirt.  Her mate, ten year-old “Shaka” (who is actually from Africa) joins her just as soon as he has rubbed his scent on his offspring.  This helps meerkats recognize one another rather than by sight.  While most of the older offspring spend their time helping dig through the dirt or work on construction of their tunnels, many of the younger meerkats enjoy play-fighting or social-grooming. Play fighting is a good teaching too to help defend their gang and also instills order within the group. The practice techniques like grappling, wrestling and pawing. Sometimes they are quite acrobatic!

Sentry duty is the most important role for meerkats and is shared equally among the adults in the group.  Pups (meerkat babies) will not have to worry about helping out until they are a little older and wiser.  Two year-old “Sekitimi”  has learned by watching his older siblings on guard duty and goes up to the termite mound to relieve his big sister.  Shortly after he is up, he sees something strange in the sky.  Not sure of what it may be, he alerts the group that there could be danger above them. They immediately stop their tasks and join him in looking around, all the time communicating with each other.  If something looks threatening, they let out a repetitive short sharp call or “alarm bark.”  Lucky for meerkats, the dark bands around their eyes help cut down on the glare of the sun.  As the object gets closer, “Seketimi” decides it’s time to sound the alarm. The rest of the mob heads for the tunnels, while remaining watchful of the object.  It’s an airplane to humans, but to meerkats it could be one of their greatest enemies, a bird of prey.  This could be a dangerous situation in the wild, and they act accordingly.  Their instincts take over even though they were born in Colorado and not the Kalahari.

As one of the Zoo keepers walks by carrying a bucket, the group runs over to the closest window, waiting to see what’s inside.  Being curious animals, meerkats enjoy investigating anything that doesn’t seem threatening.  When the Zoo keeper continues walking around the exhibit, the meerkats excitedly follow to the next window… and the next… and the next, until finally all the contents are dumped out!  Live Crickets!  The meerkats quickly huddle around, all trying to catch and eat as many as they can.  Sentry “Scotty” temporarily forgets about his job and leaves his post to join the hunt.  Their pointed snout, long-claws and broad sharp teeth make hunting (and eating) insects and easy sport.  Meerkats do not like to share so even if they are not hungry you will hear bickering among them when food is around.

As the afternoon progresses, many meerkats are spending time grooming others or huddling together to keep their bodies nice and warm.  It’s not unusual to see them “hugging” each other while doing this, as they are a pretty affectionate group.  “Molly” and “Shaka” make sure to rub their scents on the kids whenever possible.  They are very attentive parents!

By 4 p.m. the mob is beginning to unwind from their exciting day when “Molly” spots the Zoo keeper coming back with dinner.  Again, they flood to the front window, all clawing in an attempt to get to the food faster.  Bowls of food are placed into the meerkats’ inside dens; some have been waiting there while others sprint inside.  They all crowd around the bowls, each going for their favorite foods first.  For “Molly,” she prefers the grapes while “Shaka” goes straight for the meat.  Dinnertime is a feeding frenzy, but everyone in the group gets a chance to eat. The sentry post eventually comes in for the night when a relief comes and only then gets a chance to eat. 

Dusk is just around the corner and most of the mob has piled next to and on top of each other inside for the night.  “Kalala” is back on sentry duty for one last scan of the evening with her sister (and litter mate), “Dumela.”  Once they are satisfied that no danger is present, they join the mob inside for a well-deserved night of sleep. 

When not inside sleeping, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Meerkat Mob can be seen digging daily in African Rift Valley.
Visit us in person and on the live Meerkat Cam!