New babies add to ‘the mob' at Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo. Have a look
Eight baby meerkats joined the family at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this spring, bringing the total number of meerkats at the zoo to 15.
Meerkat mothers Keeya and Naledi each gave birth to four baby meerkats, also known as kits, in March and April respectively, according to a news release from the zoo. Spokesperson Tessa Miller said the older kits have started to explore their habitat, designed to replicate the African savannah in the Kids' Zone at Point Defiance Zoo, while the younger kits are bonding with their mother Naledi in their den.
'We're thrilled to welcome these pups to the mob,' curator Natalie Davis said in a release. 'Each birth is a wonderful opportunity to connect guests with this fascinating species.'
Native to southern Africa, meerkats typically grow up to 14 inches long with distinct tails only slightly shorter than their height. A member of the mongoose family, meerkats are foragers who largely eat insects and certain types of plant matter. Meerkats are pack animals who can survive longer in larger packs, and they can live up to 10 years in captivity.
Miller said the young meerkat mob – the term for a group of meerkats – might not be likely to come out for public view until they've had time to settle into their enclosure. Newborn meerkat pups often weigh just under an ounce and are born with their eyes and ears closed.
Gradually, by the time they turn 4 weeks old, their eyes open, they begin to eat solid food and they start to venture away from the den, Miller said.
'They're naturally curious animals, and keepers are confident guests will see them exploring their habitat throughout the day,' Miller said. 'However, they'll also have the option to retreat to their behind-the-scenes den whenever they choose.'
The eight baby meerkats don't yet have names, but the keepers will name them soon, Miller said. The meerkats will, for now, remain at Point Defiance Zoo. They're part of a conservation program called the 'Species Survival Plan' coordinated among zoos and aquariums around the world. The program facilitates the breeding of certain species to ensure genetically diverse populations that are suited for long-term survival.
'They are fascinating animals,' Davis said. 'From their unique adaptations to survive arid African environments to their complex social dynamics and unique vocalizations, there are so many interesting things for zoo guests to learn about meerkats.'
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