Hello!
Welcome
to Almaty zoo!
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About zoo
Animals
For visitors
My Zoo
DCAA "Almaty Zoo Park" of the Department of Culture and Archives of Almaty, 166 Esenberlin St., Almaty, 050007
Tel.: +7(701) 676-85-85
Meerkats
Nutrition
Plant bulbs, termites, bird eggs, rodents, small snakes
Habitat area
In the savannahs of South Africa
Interesting facts:
  • Like humans, meerkats are able to recognize each other by voice. In the course of a scientific study in 2011, it was found that a group of meerkats recognizes the voice of their relative on an audio recording.
  • Diligent meerkats work together. For example, they go hunting in a team. Moreover, the animals periodically change roles. This also happens in case of danger, for example, the approach of a snake.
  • While some of the meerkats are hunting, others are looking after the cubs, including strangers.
  • A 2006 study showed that adult meerkats teach younger ones hunting skills. Interestingly, meerkats even eat scorpions, as they are not afraid of insect venom.
  • Female meerkats think mostly only of themselves. Scientists have found that in case of danger, the females retreat first, so as not to take any more risks.
  • Meerkats like to bask in the sun, and often sit on their hind legs, straightened and leaning on their tail, at the entrance to the burrow. For their love of sunbathing, meerkats have been nicknamed the "solar panels of the animal kingdom"