Slender-tailed meerkat

Slender-tailed Meerkat

Three meerkats call the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo home. Keep reading to learn about their history and species!

Meerkat Fun Facts

  • Meerkats are a small mongoose native to southern tip of Africa – Kalahari Desert
  • They live in underground burrows in gangs/mobs/families
  • Meerkats have a very good sense of smell
  • They eat insects, rodents, fruit, birds, eggs, lizards, and scorpions
  • They always have a sentry or watch guard who will bark if there is danger
  • Meerkats can live for 12-14 years

Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo Meerkats

  A meerkat stands looking at the camera

Dash

Dash was born in 2015. He came to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo from Edmonton Valley Zoo in Alberta, Canada. Dash can be distinguished by a slightly stumpy tail. 

 

 
   
 A meerkat stands looking away from the camera  

Scout

Scout was also born in 2015 and came to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo from Edmonton Valley Zoo in Alberta, Canada. Scout and Dash are brothers.  

 

 

 

  
 A full-body side view of a female meerkat walking, captured against a plain white background, with her tail extended and eyes looking forward.  

Kala aka Kalahari  

Meet our newest meerkat resident! This confident and curious young lady, recently arrived from the El Paso Zoo, is making her mark. With her natural eyeshadow and graceful frame, she stands out in the mob. As part of a matriarchal society, she shows all the signs of a future leader, eager to explore and take charge. 

 

 

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