Black ears and tail tip. Slender-tailed Meerkats enjoy basking in the sun. A classic position for the Meerkat is a 'tripod',using its tail to balance whilst keeping watch. They have powerful claws for digging and are capable of excavating burrows, although they prefer to take over tunnels abandoned by other animals. They will often share burrows with Ground Squirrels, Yellow Mongooses and other small rodents.
Meerkats are active during the day and enjoy basking in the sun.
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.