We’re celebrating extra new arrivals at Woburn Safari Park within the UK, because the slender-tailed meerkat mob welcomed one other two infants simply final month!
The brand new pups are the newest of three litters born to proud dad and mom Pansy and Brendan in 2022, with keepers believing this to be the first time that we’ve ever seen this many litters from one breeding pair in a yr!
The meerkat gestation interval is round 10 weeks, and as soon as born the nonbreeders within the mob will be part of dad and mom in taking turns to babysit the younger – it is a observe known as cooperative breeding. The pups are born with their eyes and ears shut and weigh between 25-36 grams, so this methodology helps shield the infants when they’re at their most weak.
The brand new pups, born in August, have already made an enormous impression on guests to the Park and joined older siblings Albus, Ariana, Aberforth and Argus (born in February) and Bellatrix and Barty (born in Could) in having fun with their Desert Springs enclosure!
At simply six weeks previous these little ones are too younger to intercourse, however within the coming weeks they are going to begin to develop in confidence and acquire extra independence. At round 9 weeks previous they are going to turn out to be totally weaned and begin having fun with the same old meerkat food regimen which incorporates locusts, crickets and meal worms.
Keepers have additionally received their pondering caps on to provide you with appropriate Harry Potter-themed names to match their brothers and sisters.
You’ll be able to study extra in regards to the 4 meerkat pups and the remainder of the mob on the numerous Desert Springs keeper demonstrations and feedings held all through the day within the Foot Safari. You’ll be able to view the entire timetable right here.