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The meerkat is a small diurnal herpestid (mongoose) whose weight averages approximately 731 grams (1.61 pounds) for males and 720 grams (1.58 pounds) for females. Its long and slender body and limbs give it a body length of 25 to 35 cm (10 to 14 inches) and an added tail length of 17 to 25 cm (7 to 10 inches). Its tail is not bushy like all other mongoose species, but is rather long and thin and tapers to a black or reddish coloured pointed tip. The meerkat uses its tail to balance when standing vertical. Its face also tapers, coming to a point at the nose, which is brown. The eyes always have black patches surrounding them which help deflect the sun's glare. The meerkat has small, black, crescent-shaped ears that have the ability to close when digging to prevent sand entering.

Meerkats have strong, 2 cm (.8 inches) long, curved claws used for digging for prey and altering their underground burrows. They have four toes on each foot and long, slender limbs. The coat is usually fawn-coloured peppered with gray, tan, or brown with a silver tint. They have short, parallel stripes across their backs, extending from the base of the tail to the shoulders. The patterns of stripes are unique to each animal. The underside of the meerkat has no markings but the belly has a patch which is only sparsely covered with hair and shows the black skin underneath. The meerkat uses this area to absorb heat standing on its rear legs, usually early in the morning after cold desert nights.

Meerkats are primarily insectivores, but also eat lizards, snakes, spiders, plants, eggs and small mammals. Like all mongoose species, they are immune to many venoms, and eat scorpions (including the stinger) and some snakes, without fear of illness, poison or death. They have no excess body fat stores, so foraging for food is a daily need.


Meerkats are burrowing animals, living in large underground networks with multiple entrances which they leave only during the day. They are very social, living in colonies of up to about 40. Animals in the same group often 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 behavior is also usually practiced when group members are reunited after a short period apart. Most meerkats in a group are all siblings and offspring of the alpha pair.


Meerkat Suricata suricatta in Bristol ZooMeerkats demonstrate altruistic behaviour within their colonies; one or more meerkats stand sentry (lookout) while others are foraging or playing, to warn them of approaching dangers. When a predator is spotted, the meerkat performing as sentry gives a warning bark, and other members of the gang will run and hide in one of the many bolt holes they have spread across their territory. The sentry meerkat is the first to reappear from the burrow and search for predators, constantly barking to keep the others underground. If there is no threat, the sentry meerkat stops barking and the others feel safe to emerge.

Meerkats also babysit the young in the group. Females that have never produced offspring of their own often lactate to feed the alpha pair's young, while the alpha female is away with the rest of the group. They also protect the young from threats, often endangering their own lives. On warning of danger, the babysitter takes the young underground to safety and is prepared to defend them if the danger follows. If retreating underground is not possible, she collects all young together and lies on top of them.

Meerkats are the first non-human mammal species seen actively teaching their young. Children of most species learn solely by observing adults. Meerkat adults educate children how to eat a venomous scorpion. They will remove the stinger and help the pup learn how to handle the creature. [1]

Despite this altruistic behaviour, meerkats sometimes kill young members of their group. Subordinate meerkats have been seen killing the offspring of more senior members in order to advance their own offsprings' positions. [2]

Meerkats have been known to engage in social activities, including what appear to be wrestling matches and foot races.


Taken from wikipedia-Here

extra

These are things I was going to take the night to mull over, try to get a real feel for her, as thats a bit more of her personal side. Something people wouldnt know unless they knew her. You have to have dreams before they can be smashed on the island anyway right? *chuckles darkly* <.<

One of her most obvious goals would be to lose weight, more for apperance than for health. I think she's always wondered what It would be like to be thin...if she would see the world differntly then, or if she truely would be treated differntly as well.

As for long term goals in life, I dont know which of the many roads to take her down. Her parents had big dreams for her and she has fallen far short of the mark. So...was she a pre-teen modle when she was little? Her mother trying to live through her until she got fat? Or was she good at the arts? Still mulling all that over, I think she is going to be alot of fun once I work out all her kinks.

Thank you for the suggestion to add that stuff in. ^^ I hadnt really considered it off the top of my head, Yeah I needed to figure it out for myself, but posting it to where I and others can get more of a feel for her is a good idea.

*doodles some art*

horray for some variety in body types on the island! biggrin everyone thus far I've seen has been around average or thin XD From a character design standpoint, this makes me happy X3

Let there be looove for the chubbiness. <3

^^ Glad I could help dear <3<3<3