A meerkat is a member of the mongoose family. It is the only mongoose that doesn't have a bushy tail. A group of meerkats is called a mob, gang or clan. Meerkats are immune to certain types of snake and scorpion venom.

 

A clan usually contains 20 - 50 meerkats. Meerkats live for 7 - 14 years. 

Meerkats are also very good at digging. They use their long, sharp claws to dig burrows. A clan usually has five separate burrows. 

 

Meerkats use their tail to balance when they stand upright. They stand up in the morning to absorb heat on their bellies after a cold night. They also stand up tall when they're watching for any predators, a clan of meerkats always have a sentry on guard to watch for any threats to the clan. ​