64 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



Common Suricate invariably makes, being naturally of 

 a much fiercer disposition. It is also of more carnivorous 

 habits than the Mierkat, and I would v^arn ovi^ners of a 

 tame Thick- tailed Mongoose to beware of their pet if any 

 young chickens should happen to be about. In captivity 

 they require little else than raw meat, but an occasional 

 rat or bird will help to keep them in condition. 



A second species {Cynictus selousi) was described by 

 de Winton from a skull picked up in South Ehodesia. 



Genus SURICATA. 



Little animals with a slender snout, and without the 

 naked line from nose to lip. There are only four toes to 

 each foot ; the claws of the fore limbs are very long. 

 The tarsus is naked and the tail is tapering and without 

 the bushy appearance so characteristic of the Mongoose 

 family. Ears small and rounded. 



Suricata tetradactyla. True Mierkat. Graatje Mierkat 

 and Stokstaart Mierkat. 



In general coloration this little animal varies from 

 grizzled grey to a tawny grey colour, banded on the back 

 with indistinct dark brown or reddish brown bars. The 

 tail is relatively short, has a black tip and is not bushy. 

 Length of head and body, 12 to 14 inches ; tail, 6 to 

 8 inches. 



It is one of the commonest and most sought after pets 

 in South Africa, as it becomes very tame and confiding, 

 running about the house loose, and following the inmates 

 like a dog. It has one objectionable habit, to my mind, 

 and that is the little whining bark it emits, sometimes 

 for half an hour at a stretch, which is apt to become 

 irritating after a time. It is a courageous little animal, 

 and will walk up to a strange dog, no matter how big 



