Meerkats live in large groups called mobs, gangs, or clans, typically consisting of 20-30 individuals, but sometimes up to 50. Group living allows meerkats to cooperate in various activities, such as hunting, grooming, and raising young. 

Each meerkat mob is led by a dominant male and female pair, who are the primary breeders. Subordinate members assist in various tasks, such as babysitting, foraging, and sentry duty. 

Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small, social mammals belonging to the mongoose family. They are native to the arid regions of southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert and parts of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. Meerkats are known for their highly social behavior, complex social structures, and unique adaptations to their environment. 

Meerkats are known for their vigilant behavior. While others forage, one or more meerkats stand on sentry duty, scanning the environment for predators. If a predator is spotted, the sentry meerkat will give a specific alarm call to alert the group, prompting them to take cover. 

The dominant female typically produces the majority of the offspring in the group. The gestation period for meerkats is about 11 weeks, after which the female gives birth to a litter of 2-5 pups. 

Other group members, including both males and females, take turns babysitting the young while the mother forages. Babysitters help feed the pups and teach them essential survival skills, such as hunting and recognizing predators. 

Meerkats use a wide range of vocalizations for communication, including alarm calls, foraging calls, and social bonding calls. These vocalizations serve various purposes, such as alerting the group to danger, coordinating group movements, and maintaining social bonds. 

Meerkats also communicate through body language, using specific postures to convey information or assert dominance. 

Meerkats live in extensive burrow systems with multiple entrances and chambers, providing shelter from predators and harsh weather. These burrows help regulate temperature, keeping meerkats cool during the hot days and warm during cold nights. 

Meerkats have dark patches around their eyes to reduce glare from the sun and enhance their vision. Their small, round ears can close to keep out dirt while digging. Their strong, curved claws are well-adapted for digging burrows and foraging for food.