One Morning at the Suricate Den

Meercats (Suricata suricatta) generally live in the drier parts of Southern Africa and are much loved by almost everyone who comes in contact with them. They can be habituated to the presence of humans fairly quickly and didn't seem overly concerned when I set up a camera at their burrow. Within minutes of me walking away the first noses poked out of the ground to see what the commotion was about.

Meercats are entirely diurnal and my camera showed absolutely no activity between just after sunset and just after sunrise - when the following images were taken. It was a cold night, just above freezing, so the early morning sun must have been welcome. And, much like my household, the parents were up before the kids.


7:20 am - the first sign of life

7:24 am

7:30 am

7:31 am

7:32 am

7:33 am

7:34

7:35 am