Meerkat fur is light grizzled gray to tan with dark brown bands across the sides and back. Their head and throat are grayish-white. Their eye rings, ears, and tail tip are black. Their underfur is reddish brown. They have a long, slender body, long fur, and short legs. Their head is quite short and wide but ends in a pointed muzzle. They have very small, rounded ears. The front and back feet have four toes and nonretractable claws. They have a well-developed anal gland. Females have two or three pairs of teats.

Meerkats are not endangered

• Listed as “least concern" on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources)
• There are no major threats to this species.
• There are marked changes in population density due to changes in rainfall and subsequent food availability.

Help with the care of a Meerkat through our Share the Care program.