DESERT :MeerkatsDESERT :Meerkats

By Ciara LumsdenBy Ciara Lumsden

Biome Biome ANIMALS PLANTS CLIMATE ANIMALS PLANTS CLIMATE eagles palm tree very hot dayseagles palm tree very hot days

snakes grass plants cold nights common snakes grass plants cold nights common

lizard thorny bushes barely any rainlizard thorny bushes barely any rain

dogs Joshua tree dogs Joshua tree

badgers prickly pear badgers prickly pear

sage bush sage bush

salt bushsalt bush

YuccaYucca

shrubsshrubs

also big rocks to look out fromalso big rocks to look out from

Continuation of Biome Continuation of Biome

The Meerkat’s biome is the desert. The desert is very hot The Meerkat’s biome is the desert. The desert is very hot and dry. Cold nights are common in the desert, yet hot and dry. Cold nights are common in the desert, yet hot days almost always take place. days almost always take place.

There are a lot of animals in the desert as stated on the There are a lot of animals in the desert as stated on the other page. Many are predators to the meerkat because of other page. Many are predators to the meerkat because of the Meerkat’s size.the Meerkat’s size.

Plants in the desert depend on wether they need water Plants in the desert depend on wether they need water or not. For example cacti survives because it doesn’t need or not. For example cacti survives because it doesn’t need much water.much water.

Survival Features Survival Features

Meerkats have black patches around there eyes to protect Meerkats have black patches around there eyes to protect their eyes from the sun. Their claws are like shovels so they their eyes from the sun. Their claws are like shovels so they can dig fast to get away from predators. They have can dig fast to get away from predators. They have fantastic hearing so they can hear predators and warn the fantastic hearing so they can hear predators and warn the others. They can also close their ears completely so that others. They can also close their ears completely so that blowing sand doesn’t get in. blowing sand doesn’t get in.

Survival threats

Meerkats are small, so they are prey to many bigger animals. These animals include the martial eagle, the badger, the snake (the puff header snake, the cobra), lions, birds, dogs and other birds of prey.

Weather also can cause a threat because meerkats live in burrows so they can drown when floods occur.

Future action

1. If you are worried about a particular animal, write a letter to your government’s Ministry for Environment. Tell them what you think can be done to help solve the problem.

2. Learn as much as you can about nature. Go to zoos, read magazines and books, watch nature programs on television.

3. Teach other people how to help animals.4. Never buy pets that have been taken from the

wild. This encourages trappers to catch more.5. Join a zoo or an organisation that works to save

endangered species. Some groups encourage governments to make laws against hunting and killing animals.

Other factsOther facts

Eats: insects, fruit, grainsEats: insects, fruit, grains Dominant female is the only one who breeds Dominant female is the only one who breeds

otherwise gets kicked outotherwise gets kicked out One on lookout makes a different noise to warn One on lookout makes a different noise to warn

where the predator iswhere the predator is Lives for 10-15 years of age in captivityLives for 10-15 years of age in captivity They are able to ward off a snake or jackal if they They are able to ward off a snake or jackal if they

work together work together

The end

By Ciara Lumsden

Pictures from Google images

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