Baby Suricattas

About

Baby suricattas, or meerkat pups, are born with their eyes and ears closed, weighing between 25 to 36 grams. They have a thin coat of fur and grow rapidly, gaining about 4.5 grams per day in the first three months. Newborn meerkats rely on their mother for stimulation to defecate or urinate. Within five days, they double their birth weight, and by 23 to 30 days, they start eating solid foods. They are fully weaned between 49 to 63 days but remain dependent on adults for protection and care. Meerkat pups are highly social and playful, often exhibiting curious behavior as they explore their surroundings. In the wild, they are cared for by the entire group, with non-breeding members acting as babysitters. This cooperative breeding system enhances their survival chances. Baby meerkats begin to venture out of their burrows at about three weeks, learning important survival skills and social behaviors from their group members. Their curious nature and playful interactions are key components of their development into active, vigilant meerkats.