Quck answer
Meerkats are not immune to poison. While they are highly resistant to venom from snakes and scorpions due to a specialized protein in their blood, they can still be affected by other types of poison. Meerkats have been observed avoiding toxic insects and plants, indicating that they have some level of toxin detection and avoidance. However, if they do ingest a poisonous substance, it can still harm or even kill them. Therefore, it is important to keep toxic substances away from meerkat habitats to protect these animals.
Wild Animals
Scorpions have thrived on Earth for millions of years, thanks to their poisonous stingers that can even fell a human. However, there is one animal that has managed to dine on these deadly arachnids without any harm – the meerkat.
Scorpions were one of the first species to venture out of the oceans and onto land. Ever since, they have roamed over rocks, soil and even high mountains with very little change in their physical appearance. Their venomous stingers have helped them survive for over 430 million years by paralyzing their prey’s central nervous system, which can lead to death.
The meerkat, on the other hand, is a small mammal that inhabits the Kalahari Desert in Africa. When a meerkat approaches a scorpion, the arachnid raises its tail to strike. However, the meerkat grabs the scorpion with its forepaws, bites off the stinger, drags it through the sand and devours it. Despite eating a venomous scorpion, the meerkat shows no signs of harm.
So, how can meerkats eat scorpions without getting affected by their venom? It turns out that meerkats have developed a technique to handle scorpion venom. They are also capable of handling bites from some venomous snakes.
Meerkats’ Immunity to Poison
Meerkats are known to mob dangerous predators to protect themselves and their young.
Mattias Klum/National Geographic/Getty Images
Meerkats have a special protein in their blood that acts as a shield against the effects of scorpion venom. This protein binds to the venom, neutralizing it and preventing it from attacking the meerkat’s nervous system. This immunity to poison is not only present in meerkats but also in other animals like mongooses and honey badgers. It is believed that these animals have developed this immunity over time as a survival mechanism.
Biologists have discovered that meerkats have some immunity to snake venom due to their connection to the mongoose family, which is known for being able to fight deadly snakes like cobras. This trait may have been passed down from mongooses to meerkats over time. Meerkats use a method called mobbing to fight off predators, where they form a circle around the predator and move in a way that makes them appear as one large animal. While meerkats are usually able to scare off venomous snakes using this method, some have been observed being bitten and dying from the venom. Meerkats have also developed a technique for handling scorpions they commonly eat, where they quickly bite off the scorpion’s stinger and discard it, rendering the scorpion harmless. However, meerkats can still die from particularly deadly species of scorpions. Adults teach pups how to properly eat a scorpion, and this lesson is taught in stages. While meerkats have adapted well to their venomous predators, it’s not entirely accurate to say they’re completely immune to venom.
Additional Information
Related Articles from HowStuffWorks
- How Meerkats Work
- How do Meerkat Groups Select a Dominant Female?
- Why do Meerkat Pups Play?
- Are Meerkats Naturally Generous?
- How do Meerkats Communicate?
- Meerkat Quiz
- Mongoose
- The Kalahari Desert
- Scorpions
- Is an Ancient Sea Scorpion the Largest Bug Ever to Live on Earth?
- How Desert Survival Works
- How Snakes Work
- How Food Works
More Useful Links
- Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet
- Kalahari Meerkat Project
- Smithsonian National Zoo
Sources
- Gouge, Dawn H., et al. “Scorpions.” University of Arizona. http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1223/
- Roberts, Miles. “Warriors of the Kalahari.” Smithsonian Zoogoer. January/February 2007. http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2007/1/meerkats.cfm
- Zimmer, Carl. “Unsafe for any species.” New York Times. May 27, 2001. http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/05/27/reviews/010527.27zimmert.html
- “Meerkat pups go to eating school.” BBC. July 13, 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5177594.stm
- “Meerkats.” Meerkats.net. March 2005. http://www.meerkats.net/info.htm
- “Meerkats unmasked live chat transcript.” Animal Planet. 2003. http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/wildkingdom/meerkats/expert/expert_2.html
- “Safety issues and other concerns.” Kalahari Meerkat Project. April 13, 2007. http://www.kalahari-meerkats.com/fileadmin/files/Research/SafetyProtocol_13April07.pdf
- “Scorpion stings.” Merck. February 2003. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec24/ch298/ch298k.html
FAQ
1. What are meerkats?
Meerkats are small carnivorous mammals that belong to the mongoose family. They are native to southern Africa and are known for their distinctive appearance and social behavior.
2. Why are meerkats popular?
Meerkats have gained popularity due to their cute and adorable appearance, as well as their interesting social behavior. They live in groups called mobs or clans, and work together to hunt for food, protect their territory, and care for their young.
3. Can meerkats be kept as pets?
No, meerkats are wild animals and are not suitable as pets. They require specialized care and a natural habitat to thrive, and keeping them in captivity can cause them stress and harm.
4. Are meerkats immune to poison?
Meerkats are not completely immune to poison, but they do have a higher tolerance than most animals. This is because they have a specialized enzyme in their liver that helps them break down toxins more efficiently.
5. What kind of poison can meerkats withstand?
Meerkats are known to have a high tolerance for scorpion venom, which is a common threat in their natural habitat. They can also withstand certain types of snake venom and other toxins to some extent.
6. How do meerkats protect themselves from poison?
Meerkats have developed behaviors that help them avoid and protect themselves from poison. For example, they will often use their paws to dig around and inspect potential prey or food sources before eating them. They also have a strong sense of smell that helps them detect danger.
7. Are meerkats endangered?
Meerkats are not currently considered endangered. However, they are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as human activity such as hunting and trapping.
8. What do meerkats eat?
Meerkats are omnivores and eat a variety of foods including insects, small mammals, reptiles, and birds. They also consume fruits and other plant material when available.
9. How long do meerkats live?
Meerkats have an average lifespan of 5-10 years in the wild, although they can live up to 13 years in captivity.
10. What is the social structure of meerkats?
Meerkats live in groups called mobs or clans, which can consist of up to 50 individuals. They have a complex social structure that involves division of labor, communication, and cooperation.
11. What is the reproductive behavior of meerkats?
Meerkats have a cooperative breeding system, where only the dominant pair in the group will mate and produce offspring. Other members of the group will assist in caring for the young, including feeding, grooming, and protecting them.
12. Can meerkats climb trees?
Meerkats are not known for their climbing abilities, as they are adapted to living on the ground. However, they are skilled diggers and can create elaborate burrow systems for shelter and protection.
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