Welcome to week one of “Zebee’s Summer Zoo Camp”. I’m glad you all joined us. Let’s jump right in…
Meerkats are fascinating animals. Just look at them! If you didn’t know better you might think they were people with the way they sit and stand around. Watch this video and see what I mean.
Meerkat Science: Basic Facts
* Their scientific name is Suricata suricata. * They are part of the mongoose family. * They make their home in Southern Africa in the Kalahari Desert. * They live in burrows they dig with their long front claws. * As adults they weigh about two pounds and are about 12 inches tall. With tail length added in they are about 20 inches long. * Normal life span is around 10 years.
Alright, now for some Fun Facts. * When they are born weigh about one ounce. * Meerkats are called the “Solar panels of the animals world.” Why? Because they use their dark-skinned, bellies that don’t have much fur to warm up. * The dark markings around their eyes act like built-in sunglasses. * A group of meerkats is called a “mob” or a “gang.” The mob is usually between 5 and 30 members. * Their favorite food? Scorpions! Seems they aren’t affected by the scorpion’s venom. They also eat: beetles, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, worms, crickets, small mammals, small reptiles, birds, eggs, tubers and roots. Quite a variety, huh?
Want more fun facts about meerkats? Check out
National Geographic Kids.
Which of the 12 fun facts is your favorite?
Fun With Words
Make up a poem about meerkats. Any kind will do. Just have fun.
Still want more meerkat fun? Over at Animal Planet you can find all kinds of
games and quizzes.
Some of these would be great to share with your older brothers and sisters, others are great for you to play with mom and dad or by yourself.
After all this, do you want to find a zoo near you that has meerkats? Check out this
map
and see.
There might be other zoos that have them too. Why not call your local zoo and find out.
Let’s start off by going over to the Discover Channel. They have a
coloring book
with the loveable meerkats from their show, “Meerkat Manor.”
Also, pop into where you can color some pictures of
Timon and his buddies
from “The Lion King.”
*****
Can you draw a meerkat?
Here’s one way.
Give it a try and share it with your fellow cyber campers.
