Meerkats

700 grams. No boss. Everything still works.

A meerkat weighs less than one kilogram, yet a meerkat mob runs more smoothly than many organizations.

Each mob has 20–30 members. Every day, at least one meerkat stands guard upright on its hind legs, scanning the horizon without a break. The guard changes automatically No one signals or gives an order. The next meerkat simply stands up while the current sentry returns to foraging.

A three-level alarm system

Meerkats use more than thirty vocal signals, with three main calls for three types of danger:

• One call for an eagle — the whole mob runs into the burrow
• One call for a snake — the mob surrounds it instead of fleeing
• One call for a distant threat — everyone becomes alert without panicking

Each call triggers a different response. The whole group knows exactly what to do.

Anywhere is home when everyone stays together

Meerkats come from the Kalahari Desert, where temperatures can differ by 30°C between day and night. Thin, dark belly fur absorbs the morning sun. The dark rings around their eyes are not there for cuteness — they reduce glare like the black paint worn by football players. Meerkats are also resistant to scorpion venom, useful when scorpions are among their favorite foods.

At ZooJung

The meerkats on Floor 2 have their own rocky burrows and open space. They remain active all day, which offers a clear view of their social behavior.

Observation tip: Find the meerkat on guard and time the shift change. If the entire group suddenly disappears into a burrow, look for a bird's shadow overhead. They may have noticed something you missed.

📍 ZooJung — 99 Pham Van Dong, Nha Trang