Category: Animals
Published on: July 3rd, 2025
Thursday 3rd July marks World Meerkat Day – a chance to shine the spotlight on one of the animal kingdom’s most charismatic and social species. At Knowsley Safari, our resident meerkat mob never fails to entertain visitors with their curious nature, clever teamwork and non-stop activity.
To mark the occasion, and celebrate our mighty mob, we’re sharing some brilliant meerkat facts.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Meerkats live in tight-knit family groups called mobs or gangs, with up to 50 individuals working together. Every meerkat has a role, from babysitters caring for pups to sentries watching for danger. It’s true community spirit in action!
Built-In Sunglasses
The dark fur around a meerkat's eyes isn’t just for style, it helps to cut down the sun’s reflection, especially in the harsh, bright conditions of the African desert.
By absorbing sunlight and reducing glare, these "natural sunglasses" improve a meerkat’s ability to scan the horizon clearly when on sentry duty. This visual edge is crucial and allows them to spot predators like eagles or jackals from a distance, giving the group time to dive for cover.
Super Sentries
Meerkats take turns acting as lookouts. The sentry will raise the alarm with different calls depending on the type of predator spotted – birds of prey or ground-based threats. This incredible natural warning system helps keep the group safe.
Underground Architects
Meerkats are expert diggers, building complex burrow systems with multiple entrances, tunnels, and rooms. Sometimes they even share their homes with other animals like ground squirrels.
Immune to Venom
Meerkats have evolved to have resistance to certain toxins in venom, including scorpion stings and some snake bites. Just one more way they thrive in the tough African desert!
Sun Worshippers
You’ll often see meerkats standing tall and facing the sun, or laying on their back exposing their bellies, especially early in the morning. It’s not just for show – they're warming up after a chillier night, and using the sun as a natural heater.
Chatterboxes of the Savannah
With over 30 vocalisations, meerkats constantly communicate through squeaks, purrs, growls and alarm calls. It’s like meerkat Morse code, keeping the group in sync. If you stop and listen long enough at our mob, you’ll hear them chattering!
Meet our Mob at Knowsley Safari
You’ll find our meerkats on the Foot Safari, where they dig, sunbathe, stand guard, groom one another and interact just as they would in the wild.
