Meerkat

Made famous by certain TV adverts and movies, Meerkats actually herald primarily from the Namib and Kalahari Deserts of Africa. Part of the mongoose family, they live in tight social families and forage as a single unit.

Keen burrowers, they can move almost their own body weight in dirt, and open and close their ears at will to keep the dirt out.

They survey their territories by standing on their hind legs – which when combined with their inquisitive nature – is why Meerkats are so popular today.