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Description: Meerkats are a social mongoose. There is a single species, Suricata suricatta, with 3, possibly 4, subspecies. They have a slender build and long tail. They are approximately 12 inches tall, with a tail approximately 5-6 inches long, and generally weighing about 2 lbs. Their fur ranges in color from silver to orange to brown. Color variations are associated with different subspecies as well as predominant sand color in the region in which they live. Their fur serves as insulation to keep heat in and an exhaust system to prevent them from overheating.
Range and Habitat: Meerkats live in the arid to semi-arid regions of southern Africa, which is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Their range includes parts of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Summer temperatures can exceed 104° F, producing sand temperatures as high as 158°F. In this harsh environment, the difference between being in sun or shade can be as great as 86°. During the dry season of the winter months, temperatures highs are around 70°F during the short days, with nighttime lows around 14°F. Average rainfall is 12 inches, normally occurring between January and April.
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