Food
Omnivore
Meerkats eat insects, scorpions and lizards.
Eats plants and animals
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter MMeerkat
Meerkat Facts for Kids: M Is for Meerkat
Meerkats live in big family groups in the deserts of southern Africa. One meerkat stands guard on its back legs and calls out if danger is near. Here are easy meerkat facts for kids: what meerkats eat, how big they grow, what a baby meerkat is called and where meerkats live. Read them out loud, try the quiz, then color the letter M.
Mammaltype
Omnivorediet
Pupbaby name
Fun facts
Fun Facts About Meerkats
Two more true facts about the meerkat that kids love. Tap the button to hear the name, then read each fact together.
Mm
Say “Meerkat”
Meerkat starts with the letter M. Clap once for each part of the word as you say it.
1
Did you know?
Meerkats take turns standing guard.
2
One more fact
A dark patch around each eye works like sunglasses.
Act it outMove like a meerkat for ten seconds.
Spot the letterFind the letter M in “Meerkat”.
Ask a questionWhat would a meerkat eat for breakfast?
Quick facts
Meerkat Facts at a Glance
Everything a curious kid wants to know about the meerkat, in eight short cards.
Size
How big?
A meerkat is about 25 to 35 cm long plus tail.
Body sizeLife
How long?
Meerkats live for about 12 years.
LifespanBaby
Pup
A baby meerkat is called a pup.
Baby nameGroup
Mob
A group of meerkats is called a mob.
Group nameHabitat
Deserts
Meerkats are found in deserts of southern Africa.
Where they liveAnimal type
Mammal
Meerkats live in big family groups in the deserts of southern Africa. One meerkat stands guard on its back legs and calls out if danger is near.
Meerkat is a mammalLetter
M is for meerkat
Meerkat has 7 letters and starts with M.
Say: Meerkat
Quick quiz
Meerkat Quiz for Kids
A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.
Question 1
Score: 0
Free download
Free printable
Meerkat Coloring Page: Letter M Worksheet
Done reading about the meerkat? Print the free letter M sheet, say “M is for meerkat” together and color the big letters. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet afternoon at home.
1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase MLowercase mTracing practiceFind the M animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Meerkat Questions Kids Ask
Meerkats eat insects, scorpions and lizards. That makes the meerkat an omnivore, which means it is an animal that eats plants and animals.
A meerkat is about 25 to 35 cm long plus tail.
Meerkats live for about 12 years.
A baby meerkat is called a pup.
A group of meerkats is called a mob.
Meerkats live in deserts of southern Africa. Their favorite habitat is: deserts.
Yes. The meerkat is a mammal. Meerkats live in big family groups in the deserts of southern Africa. One meerkat stands guard on its back legs and calls out if danger is near.
Meerkat starts with the letter M. Say it slowly and listen for the M sound at the start.
Keep exploring
All M animals
More Animals Like the Meerkat
Other M animals and more mammals to read about next.
Mammal
Many monkeys use their long tails to help them balance as they leap through trees. Spider monkeys can even hang by their tails.
Lives in: Rainforests Read monkey factsMammal
Mice use their long whiskers to feel their way in the dark. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they chew a lot.
Lives in: Everywhere Read mouse factsMammal
Dingoes are wild dogs that live in Australia. They howl to call to each other, but they rarely bark.
Lives in: Grasslands Read dingo factsMammal
Male humpback whales sing long songs under the water. They are famous for leaping out of the sea and landing with a giant splash.
Lives in: Ocean Read humpback whale facts