Surikat is a cute exotic animal that can become a pet

In pursuit of the fashion trend to acquire exotic pets, many people begin to live under the same roof with aggressive and sometimes dangerous animals. But to surprise others with their exclusivity can be done safely, it's enough to get acquainted with the African beast called Surikat. This cute creature can provide a charge of emotions and exotics at the same time, it is only necessary to get to know it better.

What does the mink look like?

Despite the fact that the meerkats and mongooses belong to the same family of mongoose, their appearance is radically different.

Surikat is a small animal of small size, it reaches up to 30 centimeters in height and a maximum of one kilogram of weight. The animal itself is rather graceful and slender, but due to the voluminous fur it gives the impression of a more complete animal.

The wool of the meerkats is soft touch, its color can vary from gray with a rusty tint to a milky white color. On the abdomen and muzzle the wool is usually lighter, almost white, and around the eyes and at the tip of the tail and legs it is black.

Small meerkats very skillfully stand on their hind legs, leaning on their tail for balance. The tail of a meerkat can reach 20 centimeters in length, it is wider at the base and gradually narrows to the tip.

How do the meerkats live?

These small animals live in large flocks, consisting of several dozen individuals. Such generic clans allow meerkats to unite for joint searches for food, protection from predators and even the rearing of cattle.

Surikat is an animal that is most active in the daytime, with the largest part of its activity being digging holes. For this, nature endowed these animals with paws with long claws: they dig their forelegs with their forepaws, and with the back they throw away the earth.

Life in the underground passages has placed another imprint on the physical characteristics of the meerkats - they have a unique ability to cover their ears, so that they do not get land and dust during digging holes.

The relations of the animals within the pack are very close and warm, family. The morning ritual of greeting of all members of the family of the meerkats is amazing: with the rising of the sun the animals "greet" each other, gently embrace, kiss the muzzles of their fellow tribesmen. Such a ritual is necessary for them to maintain integrity and cohesion within the pack.

Natural habitat

The natural life of the meerkats takes place in a desert and flat terrain, on which there are not a large number of trees and other large plants. Such natural conditions are most suitable for the creation of numerous underground tunnels, without which the existence of a pack of meerkats is impossible.

In the wild nature of these animals it is most likely to be found in such geographical locations as:

• South African Republic.
• Namibia.
• Angola.
• Zambia.
• Zimbabwe.
• Madagascar.

Meerkats in the zoo can also feel comfortable. This is possible if they have created special natural conditions that are as close as possible to their natural habitat: a flat, desert terrain with soil suitable for digging. In addition, the animals should be approached by the temperature regime and the amount of open solar space.

Habits of meerkats

Small representatives of the mongoose family are very intelligent, non-aggressive animals. They are very active and energetic, because they spend the whole day on the move.

The usual activity of a meerkat is to tear burrows and tunnels that can form a whole underground city and cover large areas. At the same time, collapses regularly occur in tunnels, which hardworking meerkats immediately clear or break the replacement of a collapsed tunnel.

Surikat - this animal, who likes to bask in the sun in moments of rest. In this case, the animals can be frozen in the most unsuitable for resting position: sitting on the tail and spreading out wide hind legs or bending in half.

Small sizes, funny habits, non-aggressive temper and sharp mind make the meerkat attractive not only as an object of observation in the wild or a zoo, but also as a potential pet.

Advantages of an exotic pet

Surikat at home looks much more advantageous than most other fashionable exotic pets.

This animal perfectly succumbs to dressing-it can respond to its nickname and recognize people with whom it lives together. The animal is non-aggressive and does not bite at all, even in case of fright: it has rather weak jaws and faint teeth.

Home way of life, the marmot looks somewhat like a cat: goes to the toilet in a special tray, likes to bask in the sun, prefers to climb onto a sleeping person and from there watch the events in the vicinity.

Meal of the meerkats also does not require much trouble. The ration of the animal consists of half the products available in any store: eggs, chicken breast, vegetables, fruits; And half from a specialized feed from the pet store.

Surikat usually lives in its cage, but under supervision it can travel across the entire living area, than it does with interest and pleasure.

Also with this animal you can go out on a leash, but for this you need to do preventive vaccinations.

Difficulties in content

The presence of an exotic animal in the house always carries with it uncharted difficulties. In the case of the content of a meerkat, the main obstacle to the establishment of this animal can be its love for the "designation" of the territory.

Surikat is programmed by nature to mark its territory, so the process of accustoming the animal to the tray may require more patience and strength than the master planned.

Sometimes a whole year passes before the animal stops marking all household items that it considered to be its property. To help the owner can only come patience, methodical and understanding. Aggression and swear words of the result will not be achieved - the mink may become more embittered.

It is not uncommon for a situation when one had to put several trays, and especially important items of the interior should be sealed with adhesive tape or an oilcloth.

In addition, before you start a meerkat, you need to take care of a good cage for his stay. If the apartment or house is not sunny enough, it will not be superfluous to install an ultraviolet lamp in the cage so that the animal can warm its hair in sunlight, even artificial ones.

To get a pet is always a big responsibility. The choice of an exotic pet is a double responsibility, because you need to take into account all the difficulties that fall to the share of the animal in the period of adaptation to new conditions of life. Before taking such a step, it is necessary to weigh all the arguments. Only then the contemplation of the life of the meerkats will bring positive emotions, regardless of where you met these miracle animals: in nature, the zoo or in your own kitchen.