Meerkat pups born at Taronga Zoo
TARONGA ZOO in Sydney has welcomed its first new meerkat pups in almost seven years.
The pups were born on 7 January weighing just a few grams each, although they now tip the scales at over 120g. The sex of the yet-to-be named pups will be confirmed when they have their first vaccinations and veterinary examination later this month, although keepers at the zoo suspect they are a male and female.
“They may be young, but they’re already showing signs of their own little personalities,” said keeper, Courtney Mahony. “Our [suspected] male is the bigger of the two and he’s more adventurous and inquisitive, while the female is quieter and prefers to stay close to mum.”
Meerkats are native to southern Africa and can be found in the Kalahari Desert. They have adapted to living in very harsh conditions and climate, with little water, limited food and many predators. They have ears that can close in the event of a sandstorm and dark patches around their eyes lessen the desert glare like sunglasses.
The pups’ mother, Nairobi, was the last meerkat born at Taronga Zoo, in 2009. The father, Maputo, arrived at Taronga from Perth Zoo in late 2014.
And did we mention they’re really, really, ridiculously cute?
Image: Paul Fahy / Taronga Zoo.
Image: Paul Fahy / Taronga Zoo.
Image: Paul Fahy / Taronga Zoo.
Image: Paul Fahy / Taronga Zoo.
