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Ethological study of meercats (Suricata suricatta) in Jihlava Zoo.
ZÍTKOVÁ, Jana
Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a mongoose species from South Africa. Insects are the primary food sources of their diet. Meerkat lives in groups of 2-30 individuals with a developed social structure. The group consists of a dominant pair and a different number of helpers of both sexes, which are involved in various forms of cooperation, for example care for cubs, guard service and maintaince of burrow. This study was done from July to September 2009 in zoo in Jihlava on a group of meerkats, which consisted of 14 individuals. There was used the method of direct observation. Observation was specialized on care of individuals for cubs. Recorded activities include, for example, pawing, carrying of cub, puryfying of cub and play. This study concerned in a dominant activities and analysed behaviour of individuals in rearing of cubs. The result of comparison was this succession of taking care for cubs: most frequently adult females, then yearling females, less adult males, yearling males and least juveniles in Jihlava group of meercats.
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