SURICATA SURICATTA Meaning and
Definition
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Suricata suricatta, commonly known as meerkat, is a small carnivorous mammal belonging to the mongoose family, Herpestidae. It is native to the arid regions of southern Africa, particularly found in the Kalahari Desert and other areas of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. The meerkat is highly recognized for its social behavior and iconic standing stance.
Measuring approximately 12 to 14 inches in length and weighing around 2 pounds, the Suricata suricatta has a slender body with a pointed face and large, expressive eyes. It is characterized by its long, slender tail, which carries a prominent black tip. The meerkat has short, dense fur that ranges in color from tan to gray with a lightly striped pattern on its back.
These small mammals live in mobs, also known as gangs or clans, that consist of multiple family groups. Within the mob, each meerkat has a specific role, such as sentinels that keep a lookout for predators while others forage for food. Meerkats are mainly diurnal and feed primarily on insects, spiders, small reptiles, and sometimes on plants and fruits.
Suricata suricatta possesses a complex communication system involving vocalizations, scent marking, and various body postures. Their vocalizations consist of chirping, growling, and barking sounds. Meerkats also exhibit a cooperative breeding system, where related females help to raise the dominant female's young, forming a cooperative breeding group.
Due to their charismatic appearance and social behavior, meerkats have gained considerable popularity in zoos and as subjects in wildlife documentaries. The Suricata suricatta holds significance due to its unique adaptation to the challenging desert environment and its closely knit social
Common Misspellings for SURICATA SURICATTA
- auricata suricatta
- zuricata suricatta
- xuricata suricatta
- duricata suricatta
- euricata suricatta
- wuricata suricatta
- syricata suricatta
- shricata suricatta
- sjricata suricatta
- siricata suricatta
- s8ricata suricatta
- s7ricata suricatta
- sueicata suricatta
- sudicata suricatta
- suficata suricatta
- suticata suricatta
- su5icata suricatta
- su4icata suricatta
- surucata suricatta
Etymology of SURICATA SURICATTA
The word "Suricata Suricatta" is the scientific name for the animal commonly known as the meerkat. The etymology of this name can be broken down as follows:
1. Suricata: The genus name "Suricata" is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "surikat" or the Sranan Tongo (Surinamese Creole) word "sunsukun". These words have their roots in the Bantu language, specifically the Tswana language spoken in Southern Africa, where meerkats are native. The Tswana word for meerkat is "surkhatse". This name was likely adopted by European explorers and naturalists when they encountered the animal.
2. Suricatta: The species name "Suricatta" is thought to be derived from the Tswana word "kurutja", which means "weasel-like".
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