A Clowder of Meerkats refers to a group of these small but charismatic mammalian carnivores, scientifically known as Suricata suricatta. Meerkats are native to parts of southern Africa, living in semi-arid regions such as the Kalahari Desert. They generally have a social structure where individuals live in families called clans or gangs comprising several individual meerkats. Multiple clans in the same area often form a clowder of meerkats. Clowders of meerkats vary in size, typically consisting of 10 to 20 individuals, although larger groups with up to 40 members have occasionally been observed. The collective phrase clowder of meerkats aptly portrays the vibrant, sociable nature of these animals as they roam, communicate, and depend on their cooperative instincts to secure food, protect their territory, and rear their young. Within a clowder, meerkats exhibit intricate social behaviors such as sentinel duties. Standing on their hind legs, meerkats take turns keeping watch for predators like snakes, birds of prey, or larger mammals, while the rest forage for insects, small animals, fruits, and other resources. Fostering a highly cooperative society, meerkats rely on their astounding ability to live in burrows, often shared with other animal species such as yellow mongooses. In addition to their heightened sociability, the term clowder evokes an image of meerkats' ceaseless curiosity and their communal childcare practices. Young meerkats learn by observing and engaging with the older members of the clowder. They receive protection and support not only from their biological parents but also from babysitters or meerkat nannies. These individual roles emphasize the nurturing nature at the core of a clowder's existence. Overall, the collective noun phrase clowder of meerkats captures both the externally apparent charm of these alluring mammals and the underlying dimensions of their cooperative social structure. It signifies a collaborative community bonded by a collective sense of responsibility and competitive survival strategies, lending a more comprehensive understanding of their intricate lives.
Example sentences using Clowder of Meerkats
1) A clowder of meerkats huddled together on a sunny rock, keeping a keen lookout for any signs of danger.
2) The clowder of meerkats was a tightly knit group, taking turns standing tall on their hind legs to scan the horizon for potential predators.
3) With their vigilant nature, this clowder of meerkats ensured the safety of their entire pack.