SAN DIEGO — For the first time in six years, baby meerkats are playing at the San Diego Zoo.
Shaka, the zoo's matriarch meerkat, gave birth to four pups who are now viewable to the public at the Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks section of the zoo. The pups spend their days eating, practicing digging, playing and relaxing in underground burrows, according to the zoo.
"The mother is doing well and has a healthy appetite since she is nursing four kids," the zoo said in a news release. "She has great maternal instincts, checking the underground tunnels to ensure they’re safe and enlisting other members of the mob (large group of meerkats) to take turns babysitting the pups and teaching them how to be meerkats."
Fun facts about meerkats
Meerkats live in mobs, creating safety in large numbers and companionship among family members. Members of the mob spend their time grooming and playing together. The mobs are matriarchal, with one dominant female and male. They form tight bonds to help each other survive.
Adult meerkats take turns guarding the mob by climbing to a high vantage point, standing upright on two legs and using their tail as a kickstand for balance, according to the zoo. They call out if they spot danger. In the meantime, the rest of their mob can look for food.
Meerkats typically live in the desert and can survive without drinking water. With some immunity to venom, they can kill and eat snakes and scorpions without getting hurt.
Where you can see the baby animals
The meerkat pups are now viewable in the Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks section of the San Diego Zoo.
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