The Meerkat, or another name Suricate is a small mammal that lives in South Africa and the Kalahari Desert in Botswana.  They most resemble a prairie dog from the U.S., except the Meerkat is a little more streamline then the prairie dog.  The Meerkat is also from the mongoose family, and the prairie dog is from the rodent family. 

Meerkats usually live in groups of 20 or so, but there are some groups called super families which can number around 50 or so.  A group of Meerkats are called either a mob, gang, or clan, and do almost everything as a group.  This includes hunting, looking for a new home, fending off rival Meerkat clans, etc.

Meerkats normally eat insects, but in some cases will eat anything they come across, Meerkats are partially immune to certain poisons, including some snake, and scorpion venom.  Unlike a lot of mammals Meerkats do not store body fat so they have to go eat everyday.  They usually go out in groups with at least one sentry on guard at all times.  It is the sentry's responsibility to warn the others if any predators are coming.  The sentry barks or whistles when it see's danger alerting the other Meerkats.

If anyone has ever watched the show on Animal Plant called Meerkat Manor, they are incredibly smart animals.  You should definetly make an effect to watch it if you ever see it on.  It's hard to believe that these animals don't know that they are being taped because some of the things they do could be on America's funniest pets.

Here are some pictures of Meerkats, enjoy and hope this site has been informative for you.