Many animal species live in groups, a strategy offering various advantages for survival and reproduction. These aggregations are referred to by specific collective nouns; some are widely recognized, others are unique to particular species. While terms like “herd” for cattle or “flock” for birds are common, certain animals have distinct designations for their social units. Exploring these names provides insight into the social dynamics of these animal societies.
The Meerkat Squad
The group of animals called a “squad” is the meerkat. Meerkats, also known as suricates, are small mammals belonging to the mongoose family. Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert, meerkats inhabit open plains, savannas, and grasslands. These highly social creatures spend their days foraging and interacting within their structured communities. A meerkat group, often called a “mob” or “gang,” typically ranges from 2 to 50 individuals.
Life Within the Squad
Meerkat squads exhibit complex social structures, with individuals working together for the group’s welfare. They are cooperative breeders; all group members contribute to raising the offspring. While a dominant pair handles most breeding, subordinate members assist in caring for the young, including babysitting and providing food. Pups join the foraging group around three to four weeks old and are fed by adults until they can find food independently at about three months.
Foraging is a communal activity, with meerkats digging in the sand for insects, small vertebrates, and plant material. They maintain cohesion during foraging through vocalizations, such as “close calls,” which help them stay in contact even when visual cues are limited. A notable behavior is sentry duty, where one meerkat stands upright on an elevated position, scanning for predators. This sentinel alerts the group to danger with specific alarm calls, allowing others to forage with reduced individual vigilance.
The Advantages of Squad Living
Living in a cohesive squad offers meerkats survival benefits in their challenging environment. The collective vigilance provided by sentinels enhances early detection of predators, allowing the group to seek cover in their burrows. This shared responsibility reduces the risk for individual meerkats, as more eyes and ears are available to spot threats. The presence of a sentinel also permits other meerkats to focus more on foraging, improving the group’s overall food acquisition efficiency.
Cooperative pup-rearing increases the survival rate of young meerkats. With multiple helpers contributing to feeding and guarding, pups are better protected from predators and receive consistent nourishment. This communal approach ensures that even if the dominant female has multiple litters, the young receive adequate care, strengthening the squad’s numbers and its ability to defend territory. The social structure of a meerkat squad serves as an effective strategy for thriving in their habitat.