THE STORY OF THE MVNGOOSE. 
189 
predominating*. The transverse light and dark bands on the loins are 
formed by the regular arrangement of the hairs, by which the white and 
black rings come opposite to each other on adjacent hairs. Meerkats may 
be distinguished at a glance from all other mungooses by their elongated 
nose and claws, as well as by their peculiar coloration, no other species 
having ears differing in color from the rest of the head. 
South African meerkats appear to be confined to Cape Colony, extend¬ 
ing at least as far north as Algoa Bay. These animals form most admirable 
SOUTH AFRICAN MUNGOOSES OR MEERKATS. 
and amusing little pets, nearly every homestead having one or more of these 
creatures. In their wild state the meerkats live in colonies or warrens, 
burrowing deep holes in the sandy soil, and feeding chiefly on succulent 
bulbs which they scratch up with the long, curved black claws on their 
fore feet. They are devoted sun-worshippers, and in the early morning, 
before it is daylight, they emerge from their burrows, and wait in rows till 
their divinity appears, when they bask joyfully in his beams. They are very 
numerous on the arru, and, as you ride or drive along through the veldt, 
you often come upon little colonies of them sitting up sunning themselves, 
