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Samara is home to several colonies of Meerkat. Meerkats are a type of Mongoose. The name Meerkat comes from the Afrikaans (Dutch population of South Africa). The English translation is marsh cat, although Meerkats do not live near marshes and they are not cats. Their proper scientific name is Suricata suricatta (Class - Mammalia , Order - Carnivora , Family - Viverridae.) They were first named in 1776. Meerkats are small, burrowing animals, living in large underground networks with multiple entrances which they leave only during the day. They are very social, living in colonies averaging 20 to 30 members. Animals in the same group regularly groom each other to strengthen social bonds. The alpha pair often scent-mark subordinates of the group to express their authority, and this is usually followed by the subordinates grooming the alphas and licking their faces. This behaviour is also usually practised when group members are reunited after a short period apart. Most Meerkats in a group are all siblings or offspring of the alpha pair.
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Reservations: +27(0)49 891 0558 | Lodge: +27 (0)49 891 0880
lodge@samara.co.za | reservations@samara.co.za
