Meerkats are curious creatures native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, and true to form, these newborn meerkat pups are curiously exploring the new world around them.
On January 7th, two meerkat pups were born at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo for the first time in seven years. However, these furry little creatures have just started venturing out of the warmth and comfort of their nest to explore the exciting world around them.
“This is all new for them and they learn by observing their mum and dad, so we’re very lucky that Nairobi and Maputo are proving to be fantastic and attentive first-time parents,” said Courtney Mahony, a keeper at the meerkat exhibit. “Nairobi is letting the pups suckle and grooming them at the right times and Maputo protects them, huddles over them and curls up with them at night.”
“They were initially a little wary of this big new world outside, but with a bit of encouragement from mum and dad they started to explore,” Courtney said.
Now, the young babies are starting to show their curious sides, and already have their own personalities. “Our male is the bigger of the two and he’s more adventurous and inquisitive, while the female is quieter and prefers to stay close to mum,” Courtney said.
Watch the precious video below to see these curious baby meerkats explore the world outside their safe nest.
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[Featured image credit: Paul Fahy/Taronga Sydney]