4-1/2" x 3-1/2"

Meerkats are mammals, part of the mongoose family. They live in the Kalahari Desert in groups of 20-30, most of which are children of the alpha male and female of the group. If you haven't seen Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet, check it out. Great show.

In the Zambian region of Africa, meerkats are known as sun angels and are believed to protect cattle from werewolves.

Meerkats are smaller than most housecats, just 1-1/2 pounds and 10-14" high. They use their tails to help them stand upright and can close their ears to keep sand out when digging.

Insects are the dietary staple but they'll also eat lizards, snakes, plants, other small mammals and scorpions. They're immune to scorpion venom.

Meerkats begin mating at around a year of age and a female may produce 4 4-pup liters a year. The alpha parents in the clan often kill the young born to other members. Non alpha females who become pregnant are often evicted from the clan. Conversely, meerkats are said to be the only mammal other than humans to make a seemingly conscious effort to teach their young survival skills. Other members of the clan babysit pups and females lactate so as to feed them during the mother's absence.

Thanks, Wikipedia!