NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



for this little fellow is constantly popping up to 

 glance around. 



In the wild state it may be seen at almost any 

 time of day diligently scratching the soil in search 

 of tubers and bulbs, which are so abundant on the 

 karoo veld. 



These it devours, as well as any beetles, worms, 

 or larvae it may succeed in unearthing. Any small 

 creature which the meerkat is able to capture and 

 overcome is greedily eaten. The young and eggs 

 of snakes are sought out and furnish a meal for this 

 energetic little hunter. He is a source of terror to 

 rats and mice, for he pursues them to their retreats ; 

 and should they be of the species which take refuge 

 in holes, he thinks nothing of spending half a day 

 in digging one out. The Striped Field Mouse, 

 which is common all over South Africa, as well as 

 some other species of rats and mice, build nests 

 in tufts of grass and low shrubs, and in these half 

 a dozen or more young are born at a time and 

 reared. The meerkat, whose sense of smell is 

 exceedingly acute, smells out these nests and de- 

 vours the young, thus helping to maintain the 

 balance of Nature. Rats, mice, and venomous 

 snakes are very quick-breeding creatures, and if 

 not preyed upon by many enemies would soon 

 become a scourge to man. 



Should any bird be foolish enough to build its 

 nest upon the ground in the haunts of the meerkat, 

 it will not hesitate to devour the eggs or young. 



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