Pictures From Meerkats 3D

Meerkat Hug

Photograph by Telse Meyer and Dirk Blumenberg

Meerkats live in large colonies and are naturally affectionate animals. Gregarious creatures, they are often seen in groups, and several families may live together in a large community.

Meerkats are mongooses and are about the size of squirrels. They are famed for their upright posture—they often stand on their rear legs and gaze alertly over the southern African plains where they live. Mothers can even nurse their young while standing.

What’s That You Say?

Photograph by Telse Meyer and Dirk Blumenberg

Meerkats use whistles and barks to communicate. A sharp, shrill call is the signal for all to take cover.

Adult meerkats are about 12 inches tall, and the hostile environment of the Kalahari is a constant challenge for them. With little fat reserves, meerkats must perform successful daily hunts in order to survive.

Cobra Face-Off

Photograph by Andrew Graham-Brown

Meerkats face down a Cape cobra. Meerkats can only survive as a team—they rely on cooperation and operate in groups most of the time.

Meerkat Pups

Photograph by Telse Meyer and Dirk Blumenberg

Two meerkat pups—about three weeks old—emerge from the safety of their den.

Young meerkats are highly curious and are constantly exploring their surroundings. By 12 weeks of age, they are already capable of feeding themselves, but they can become exhausted by the intense heat.

The Babysitter

Photograph by Andrew Graham-Brown

A meerkat stands guard and scans the Kalahari landscape while watching over the clan’s young.

It is common for female meerkats to leave their pups with a caretaker in order to venture out into the Kalahari and hunt. Babysitters take their jobs very seriously and are ready to lay down their lives to protect the young.

Seeking Shade

Photograph by Telse Meyer and Dirk Blumenberg

At midday meerkats cluster in shade seeking relief from the hot African sun. Temperatures of 113°F (45°C), even in the shade, are common in the Kalahari Desert.

Play Time

Photograph by Andrew Graham-Brown

Two meerkat pups play in the sand.

Females give birth to two-to-four young each year. Fathers and siblings help raise the young, teaching them to play and forage, and alerting them to the ever-present danger from above. Young meerkats are so fearful of predatory birds that even airplanes will send them diving for cover.

Vigilance

Photograph by Telse Meyer and Dirk Blumenberg

Meerkats are very attentive, and a guard like this one will give the call that danger is approaching long before it arrives.

Meerkat at Sunset

Photograph by Telse Meyer and Dirk Blumenberg

A meerkat takes in the day’s last rays of sun before returning to its den for the night.

Meerkats only hunt during daytime. At night, or when seeking relief from the heat, meerkat groups utilize several different burrows and move from one to another. Each burrow is an extensive tunnel-and-room system that remains cool even under the broiling African sun.

Meerkats 3D Camera Test

Photograph courtesy National Geographic Channel International

Meerkats inspect a 3D camera rig used for Meerkats 3D while crew members conduct a camera test. After slow and careful habituation by the filmmakers, the meerkats became accustomed to their presence.