- Characteristic features
Suricates belong to the family of the mongooses. They reach a weight of 650-900g and a shoulder height of 25cm.
- Special characteristics
They have extremely long claws, which they use for digging. Deserted holes of ground squirrels and yellow mongoose are often being taken over and changed to their own living conditions. These underground hole systems can expend up to an area of 80-800m², a depth of 2m and can have 15-90 exits. Suricates have a distinctive social behaviour and live in family groups with up to 30 animals together.
- Hunting
If a suricate spots a scorpion he hits it with the front paws until the scorpion is stunned und can be eaten easily. The suricate hunts a snake by attacking it until it is tired and can be killed by a neck bite.
- Food
Their menu consists of insects, reptiles, small birds, eggs, snakes, scorpions, fruit, berries and nodules.
- Enemies
The enemies of the suricate are birds of prey, predators, jackals and african wild cats.
- Life expectancy
In captivity these animals can live up to 12 years.
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