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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