THE SLENDER-TAILED MEERKAT 



Very few birds, however, build their nests in the 

 localities frequented by these meerkats. The 

 Slender-tailed Meerkat is the most easily tamed 

 species of animal in South Africa. It is singularly 

 unsuspicious of man, and grows so affectionate 

 that at times it becomes a positive nuisance. Tame 

 meerkats seem to be obsessed by two dominant 

 ideas, viz. to ferret around for food, and to seek 

 warmth. Placed in a garden it pokes and scratches 

 about everywhere in a restless, nervous sort of way, 

 emitting a low, chattering, whining noise almost 

 incessantly. There is nothing it loves better than 

 being allowed to conceal itself upon one's person, 

 underneath the clothing. It will crawl up a trouser 

 leg, sleeve, or beneath a waistcoat until it finds a 

 warm and restful spot, whereupon the fretful 

 chattering ceases. 



This meerkat is a true Sun Worshipper. Before 

 sunrise they are out of their burrows, patiently 

 waiting for the rising of the sun. Then, sitting 

 on their haunches, with legs apart, the abdomen is 

 exposed to the sun's warm rays. 



It is most amusing to watch captive meerkats 

 when the weather is at all chilly. The instant 

 one is released from its cage or chain, it runs out 

 into the sunlight, and, lying upon its back, it spreads 

 out its legs and flattens its body in order to absorb 

 the maximum amount of heat. There it lies in an 

 utter abandonment of delight, crooning and mutter- 

 ing to itself. If the garden is large and the meerkat 



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