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 larve 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. 
58 
