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23. Meerkats — What’s a meerkat, you ask? Think Timon from Disney’s The Lion King. Can you say cutie!!! Meerkats are small (only 1 1/2 lbs!) burrowing mammals that live in large underground networks with multiple entrances in one of the hottest places on Earth - Africa’s Kalahari Desert. They demonstrate altruistic behavior in their colonies as one or more meerkats will stand guard (or sentry) as pictured here while others are foraging or playing. When a predator is spotted, the sentry gives a warning bark and all members will quickly run and hide in one of the many bolt holes they have spread around their territory. They don’t come back out until the sentry says it’s all clear. It may be hot and dry there, but these cuties still make time to socialize and play with others in their colony, which usually has up to 30 members. Think 30 instant friends! While most species’ young learn by watching what the adults do, meerkats are the first non-human mammal species seen actively teaching their young how to live. Live, love, laugh seems to be their motto - one we can all live by!
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