Make way for Riverbanks' meerkats
Contributed by Riverbanks Zoo

The Riverbanks SCE&G ZooView webcam now features the meerkat exhibit.

Audiences, who have been captivated by the ever- popular hit show Meerkat Manor , have the chance to observe Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's meerkat gang day in and day out throughout the month of February.

" Meerkat Manor has brought a lot of attention to the intriguing life of meerkats," said Sue Pfaff, the assistant curator of mammals at Riverbanks. "Riverbanks is fortunate to have meerkats to see in person, especially since meerkats are not native to North America."

Meerkats are native to South Africa. They run in gangs or mobs of up to 30 members and act as a family unit playing, grooming, and foraging together.

Meerkat Manor follows a gang of meerkats and lets viewers in on their social lifestyles. Through the ZooView webcam, viewers can observe Princess, Harry, Gator, and the rest of the gang that make up Riverbanks' entertaining meerkat family.

Princess, the alpha female, is the leader and only female among the group. One of the males is always standing on guard duty while the others hunt.

A bark or whistle can be heard as an alert for predators. Meerkats eat meat and insects and are able to eat poisonous snakes and scorpions because of their immunity to venom.

These fascinating animals look as if they are wearing sunglasses due to the dark patches surrounding their eyes. This helps cut down on the glare from the sun.

The meerkats may look cute, touchable, and domesticated, but looks can be deceiving. Meerkats are wild animals with exceptional defense mechanisms such as their long claws, razor sharp teeth, and territorial ways.

Meerkats also have a distinct musky odor that does not go well in a human household. Meerkats are cute but are not good pets.

For more information, call Riverbanks Zoo at (803) 779-8717 or visit www.riverbanks.org.