Cholesterol granulomas in three meerkats (Suricata suricatta).

A panel of microsatellites developed for meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ) by 1 cross - species amplification and species - specific cloning

Meerkats

What is a meerkat? Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small (<1 kg) mongooses found in arid regions of southern Africa. They feed mainly on insects, arachnids and small vertebrates, and spend much of their time digging in the sand in pursuit of their prey. Unlike many other small mammals in such environments, meerkats are strictly diurnal. By night, they shelter in elaborate burrow systems; at d...

Persistence of Alarm-Call Behaviour in the Absence of Predators: A Comparison Between Wild and Captive-Born Meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

Performing correct anti-predator behaviour is crucial for prey to survive. But are such abilities lost in species or populations living in predator-free environments? How individuals respond to the loss of predators has been shown to depend on factors such as the degree to which anti-predator behaviour relies on experience, the type of cues evoking the behaviour, the cost of expressing the beha...

Fatal disseminated toxoplasmosis in a zoological collection of meerkats (<i>Suricata suricatta</i>).

Two confirmed cases of fatal disseminated toxoplasmosis occurred in an urban zoological collection of meerkats (Suricata suricatta). Both cases are suspected to be the result of feral cats gaining access to the enclosure. Toxoplasmosis has rarely been documented in meerkats. Subsequent to prophylactic treatment of all the animals and structural changes being implemented within the enclosure, no...

Novel Cause of Tuberculosis in Meerkats, South Africa

The organism that causes tuberculosis in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) has been poorly characterized. Our genetic analysis showed it to be a novel member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and closely related to the dassie bacillus. We have named this epidemiologically and genetically unique strain M. suricattae.