A lively quartet of meerkat pups have taken their
first steps out into the sunshine at Chester Zoo.
The curious newcomers
made their first public appearances after being burrowed away since being born
on 11 June, following an 11 week gestation period.
Keepers at
the zoo have not yet determined the sexes of the pups meaning each of the fantastic
foursome has yet to be given a name.
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David White, team manager at the zoo
said:
“It’s great to have some lively new additions
amongst our mob of meerkats. At only a month old it’s too early for us to
confirm their genders but we’re pleased to say the pups are doing very, very
well and are settling in nicely with the rest of the gang.
“They’re quickly learning how to forage for food and are spending lots of time
grooming and playing together – activities which encourage the family to stay a
really tight unit.”
Meerkats are native to South Africa, Namibia,
Botswana and Angola and inhabit open
country and sparse woody scrublands, feeding mostly on invertebrates.
Meerkat facts:
- Meerkats are native to Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South
Africa
- Most
meerkats live in underground burrows in large groups of around 30 individuals
called a gang or a mob
- Meerkats
have scent pouches below their tails and will rub these pouches on rocks and
plants to mark their territory
- They have
dark patches around their eyes that act to cut down on the glare and help them
see far into the distance
- Meerkats
have four toes on each feet and very long, non-retractable claws to help them
dig
- Meerkats can close their ears to keep dirt out while
digging