To the casual observer, meerkats may look carefree and playful, but an in-depth look at their lives shows an existence filled with danger and deceit.
To the casual observer, meerkats may look carefree and playful, but an in-depth look at their lives shows an existence filled with danger and deceit.
The small mammals must be on constant watch for the plethora of vicious predators that inhabit their neighborhoods. One of the most ruthless killers lives in their own community.
Researchers have discovered that the dominant female in the group will stop at nothing to secure her status and ensure that her own family line thrives.
She and the alpha male control the reproductive rights of their kingdom, including intervening when subordinates have pups.
Almost as quickly as the babies are born, the dominant female meerkat will swoop in and slaughter the entire litter.
The mother of the deceased is left with two choices – become a wet nurse for alpha’s offspring or be ejected from the group.
In fact, all of the females in the community are expected to feed and care for the power-wielding meerkats’ young.
Females that fail to do so and those who pose a threat to the alpha in some other way are also evicted.
On their own, a meerkat’s odds of survival are incredibly low.
