They only use the tunnels for fleeing to safety, for sleeping and for giving birth. The entire group of Meerkats works as a team, sharing the work load of keeping guard and baby-sitting. When on sentry duty, the Meerkat stands on its hind legs using the tip of the tail for support. Their keen eyes can pick out enemies such as vultures even when they are high in the sky. The guard gives an alarm call and the Meerkats flee to safety.
Meerkats feed on insects, millipedes and spiders which they find mainly by smell.
Mice, birds, lizards and snakes are also caught and killed by biting and shaking. When food is scarce a colony of Meerkats may move to a new den, where there is more food. Young are born blind and sparcely furred. The mother suckles her young in a sitting position and they will start to take solid food at 6 weeks. Males often leave the colony they were born in to form a new one.