Slender-tailed Meerkat

Zone:
Coping With Extremes - Desert Heat

Diet:
Omnivore

Taxa:
Mammal

Conservation Status:
Least Concern

The Meerkat is a small mammal and member of the Mongoose family.  They originate from the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa. Meerkats are active by day, taking shelter in their warm burrows against the chill of the night.

CREATURE FEATURE: MICKEY

For many years the Meerkats at Folly Farm remained static and refused to breed. What was missing was someone to take charge, someone to sort the bunch out. That someone was Mickey. A lonely bachelor from Blackpool, Mickey did just that. He immediately took charge and has since fathered twins. With his watchful eye keeping a lookout we are hopeful that he will continue to lead his troop and increase the size of his family in the years to come. Mickey can usually be spotted raised up on his hind legs keeping an eye on whats going on. He is easy to identify as he is missing the black tip usually found on the end of a Meerkat's tail.