Meerkats are small mammals from Africa who are most closely related to the mongoose family. The form groups in order to survive because they are very susceptable to larger predators, which include birdsof prey, jackals, snakes and other carnivores.

Each member of the group takes turns at guard duty, perching at the high vantage points scanning the area for any sign of a predator. They have hundreds of different calls for different types of danger and upon hearing the alarm the meerkats will dive for cover, constantly peeping for the all clear. Sometimes if the predator ias a small carivore on the ground, the group will advance with fur raised, with an agitated bouncy gait and loud rasping cries, snapping and spitting. Predators harassed in this way will usually give up and move away.