Meerkat Manor Blog : Animal Planet

One Thing Leads to Another

Episode 8 recap: “Divided We Fall”

There’s trouble on the horizon, and not just in the Kalahari skies. The meerkats take refuge underground as they wait for another swift but violent storm to blow over, but it’s clear that something potentially severe has already happened.

The day’s events rewind to first show things from the perspective of Rocket Dog’s new pups Nugget and his sister Beaker. They’re remarkably strong for being just four weeks old, and like most siblings, rough housing with each other is second nature. Sophie is on babysitting duty again while the other Whiskers are out and about looking for a bite to eat. Today, she’s getting assistance from Simon, one of Rocket Dog’s last pups who’s now older and eager to take on more responsibility.

Nugget and Beaker need some nourishment as well, but Sophie is not lactating and Rocket Dog could be away with the family for awhile. Simon decides the pups might enjoy something a bit heartier like a centipede, but Beaker claims the grub for herself before Nugget can get a bite. Thought the pups have yet to wander away from the safety of the burrow, Simon and Sophie decide a breakfast outing is in order.

The meal options are fairly standard, mostly just grub, though Nugget spots something much larger that whets his appetite: scorpions. Good thing Simon is close by to keep things in check – these tasty treats are a big no-no for the Kids’ Menu. Grub will have to do, but the meal is filling enough to put everyone into a food coma.

Unfortunately, it’s not the best time to catch a few Zzz’s – something rouses Sophie and sure enough, the Aztecs are only 100 yards away, led by Rocket Dog’s sister-turned-rival Maybelline. This Whiskers splinter group has yet to spot the foursome, and though it would be wise for Sophie to keep quiet, she’s overpowered by her natural instinct to sound the alarm. Now that she has the Aztecs full attention, there’s only one thing left to do – run.

Sophie and Simon try to shepherd Nugget and Beaker to the closest bolt hole ASAP. If the Aztecs catch up to them, the pups won’t stand a chance. They find a hiding place, and Sophie stands guard at the entrance while Simon crawls in deeper to investigate the digs. Right about now would be a really great time for Rocket Dog and the Whiskers to swoop in and save the day… but there’s no sight of them. Where could they be?

The answer to that question is about to be revealed. The day rewinds and now we see things from Rocket Dog’s perspective. She’s left babysitters Sophie and Simon in charge while leading the family on their morning outing for a meal. Thankfully, food is in abundant supply, which is good news for nursing Rocket Dog. All has been relatively quiet on the Kalahari front for a few weeks now, and it’s starting to look like the Whiskers might be on their way to once again reigning supreme.

During their foraging, the Whiskers come across one of their old stomping grounds that’s since been occupied by new tenants. The scent is familiar, and it doesn’t take long to figure out Maybelline and her Aztecs have been in residence. The Whiskers set about reclaiming the property, but making their mark isn’t the top priority. The discovery of the Aztecs’ presence in the burrow reveals just how closely the mob has nosed their way into Whiskers territory. If Rocket Dog doesn’t track them down before sister Maybelline discovers her newborns, their lives will be in grave danger.

It doesn’t take long for the Whiskers to track down the Aztecs, and sure enough, their headed right in the direction of the babysitting burrow. It’s time for Rocket Dog to put the pedal to the medal, and she continues the chase until the Aztecs are driven as far away from the burrow as possible. Only problem is… Nugget and Beaker are not at the burrow, and Rocket Dog has just inadvertently run her mortal enemies right into the path of her precious pups.

The bad luck continues as Simon discovers their temporary refuge has already been occupied by a snake. But with the Aztecs still hovering near the entrance and desperate to get at the pups, there’s no where to turn but Sophie and Simon have no intentions of going down without a fight.

Back at the Whiskers burrow, Rocket Dog discovers Nugget and Beaker are nowhere to be found, but as a severe storm blows in, the Whiskers are forced to take cover and halt their search. When evening begins to fall and the pups are still unaccounted for, one can only assume the worst.

The next morning, with no little ones at the homestead to keep an eye on, the entire family moves out. There’s a lone figure in the distance headed their way – it’s Sophie! She calls out to her mob and leads them to where she left Nugget and Beaker safe and sound, thanks to the heroism of their babysitters and a little help from Mother Nature – the storm forced the Aztecs to take shelter as well. But in a cruel twist of fate, Simon’s standoff with the snake did not end in his favor. Though Nugget and Beaker survived, the pups’ first outing into the big wide world has proved to be a very startling and sad experience they are not likely to forget anytime soon.

A bittersweet episode to say the least, don’t you think? Share your comments!

OPEN THREAD: DIVIDED WE FALL

Tonight’s episode certainly was a devastating reminder about the dangers that can pop up at any moment on the Manor, even during a seemingly innocent breakfast outing. Babysitters Sophie and Simon thought they were just showing the new Whisker pups around town, but their impromptu field trip to the Kalahari IHOP proved to be a deadly decision. And in her attempt to protect her pups, Rocket Dog unfortunately ended up chasing enemies the Aztecs right into their path, with brave Simon paying the ultimate price. What did you think of tonight’s episode? Leave your comments, pay tribute to Simon, and don’t forget to check back tomorrow for the full recap.

Someone to Watch Over Me

Episode 7 recap: “The Bodyguard”

It’s springtime in the Kalahari, and the rebirth of the land is a sight to behold, especially for 1-year-old Axel. Born a Zappa but rescued and fostered by the Whiskers, Axel is no longer the baby of the family with the arrival of Rocket Dog’s new pups, Nugget and Beaker. It’s the perfect opportunity for Axel to step up to the plate and pitch in on the baby-sitting front to earn his keep. He has a surprising partner to help him out with the task: Sophie. The once exiled family member has been accepted back into the burrow, now no longer perceived as a threat.

For the first few weeks of their new young lives, the pups will spend their time in the underground nursery. Providing nourishment is usually a group effort, but right now Rocket Dog is the only female producing milk, so the pups’ meals are not going to be as frequent as they might have hoped.

Fortunately, the pups were born at the best time of the year, when the Kalahari is plentiful with lots of different insects to provide Rocket Dog with a healthy, balanced and fulfilling diet. The only drawback of the fertile land is a lack of camouflage – a brown meerkat stands out against the backdrop of green grass and spring flowers. However, Mitch has Rocket Dog’s back, keeping an eye on things so she can feast with little worry of predators.

Mitch has fully embraced his role as dominant male of the Whiskers with a strong and dependable demeanor. He spots something in the trees that grabs his attention, and his concern. It’s a colony of social weavers, African birds that build their nests high among the branches and have somewhat of a similar social structure to meerkats in that they assist in raising each other’s young. But these birds are no bigger than sparrows, so why would Mitch be concerned about them posing a threat? Turns out it’s what’s burrowing inside their nest that’s causing his concern – the deadly Cape cobra. This unexpected visitor could prove to be a long-term issue for the social weavers, and it’s a startling reminder to the Whiskers about the important role of the burrow baby-sitters.

Axel has the best intentions for his first morning on the job, but with all seemingly quiet on the desert front, he can’t help but nod off. While he takes his meerkat nap, a stranger approaches, making his way cautiously toward the burrow. Axel stirs from his sleep but fails to spot the potential intruder and slips back into slumber land. The rogue meerkat makes his way into the burrow, but has no interest in harming the pups. In fact, he might very well be their father – it’s none other than Wilson from the Commandos, but today the object of his mission is Sophie. However, the burrow nursery is really not an appropriate place for, ahem, afternoon delight shall we say, so Wilson and Sophie take it outside.

While Axel may have nodded off during Wilson’s first approach, it doesn’t take long for him now to spot what’s brewing. With Axel on his case, Wilson makes a hasty exit, leaving Sophie in the lurch, and amid all the chaos no one notices the puff adder snake moving dangerously too close to the burrow.

In a case of terrible timing, Nugget and Beaker have decided to try and find their way to the entrance in search of nourishment. Sophie and Axel aren’t equipped to help out in that department, so the pups will just have to wait for their mother to return. Speaking of returns, Wilson has come back but this time he’s brought a wing man, Phillipe, to distract Axel so he can get some quality time with Sophie. The plan seems to be working, as Axel heads off after Phillipe, but Wilson’s scheme is interrupted with the return of the Whiskers clan. Now that Axel has a little more muscle on his side, his courage flourishes. He runs off Phillipe, while Mitch decides to show Wilson who’s boss at this manor.

Threat conditions, however, are still at high levels, with the puff adder lying in wait near the entrance to the burrow. Usual defense tactics for the meerkats would involve mobbing the snake to drive him off, but as the puff adder can move in only one direction – farther into the burrow – the meerkats’ decision to mob the snake may prove to be a deadly, with Rocket Dog’s pups paying the ultimate price.

There’s movement at the main entrance of the den, and remarkably, it’s Sophie shepherding young Nugget to safety. Beaker, however, is still unaccounted for, and though it’s a risk to her own life, Rocket Dog successfully saves her other pup, channeling some of her mother Flower’s bravery. Mitch’s return shows signs of a rough smack-down with Wilson, but he’s certainly proven he’s as tough of a warrior as his father, Zaphod.

It’s been a harrowing day at the manor but one that thankfully had a happy ending – for now. While Sophie has used her second chance with the Whiskers wisely and proved to be an invaluable member of the family, she’s also growing up fast. Her instinct to have her own pups is just going to get stronger, and with Wilson more than eager to shower her with love, can it be too long before Sophie is at odds with Rocket Dog once again?

What did you think of this week’s episode? Will Sophie blow her re-acceptance by the Whiskers in favor of having her own family, or will Rocket Dog continue her reign on the throne?

OPEN THREAD: THE BODYGUARD

I started baby-sitting at age 11, and in my neighborhood, most of the families had at least three or four kids. That was a fair amount of responsibility to take on at that age, but the worst thing I ever had to deal with was a lack of decent goodies to raid in the kitchen cabinet and a series of soiled diapers. Puff adder snakes? Not so much! Did the baby-sitting tag team duo of Axel and Sophie make you nervous? Will Rocket Dog and Mitch be able to hold on to their power position? And how cute are those new pups, Nugget and Beaker? Give me your thoughts on tonight’s episode, and come back tomorrow for the full recap!

A Conversation With Professor Tim Clutton-Brock: Part II

Check out the second part of our interview, including questions from fans!

You’ve actually studied the social behaviors of several other types of species, including insects, fish, birds and mammals, such as red deer and wild sheep – which one has been your favorite to work with, and why?

I’ve spent my life trying to work with systems where it’s possible to recognize large numbers of individuals and follow them throughout their lives. The reason for that is that if you can trace individuals through their lives, you can answer all sorts of questions about them, which you otherwise can’t get at if you don’t know what age they are, how they’re related to other individuals, whether or not they bred last year, what age they started breeding, and so on. You need too know the details of their individual life histories to be able to answer many important questions about the behavior of animals and their emotions.

Now, that constrains you to working on animals that you can see. It’s very difficult to work on animals who are nocturnal, for example, or who spend their lives underground, or who live in the canopies of tropical forest, or spend most of their lives at seas. The beauty of meerkats is that they live in a very open environment, yet are extremely tame, so instead of watching them from 100 meters away, you can watch them from five meters away. They’re relatively easy to deal with – for example, there would be obvious problems working with lions or hyenas that might turn on you and eat you. Meerkats have unique advantages, and I can’t think of another mammal that has the same kind, so I think meerkats are probably my favorite.

How scientifically accurate is the Meerkat Manor series?

I think it gives a very realistic picture of meerkat life. None of the things (the show) describes don’t happen, and the specific events in almost all cases happened as it described.

But I think what goes on (and) what they film is what they see. They don’t script the thing before and then go to shoot it. They allow the animals’ activities to generate the stories, and then they structure the program to follow the events that they’ve seen. So I think it’s very close to scientific accuracy.

Can you tell us about the kind of attention you've been receiving with the success of Meerkat Manor?

We’ve been receiving a lot of interest through radio programs and people phoning in. There’s also a Web site, so there’s a lot of interest in that; people ask questions – that’s really just a small component of my life. My work focuses on the science; I work with colleagues on fundamental questions about the biology of meerkats. And the publicity and television side is fairly peripheral to that. There’s a lot of interest, but it doesn’t really impact my life very much.

Has it surprised you that fans of Meerkat Manor want to know everything about the life histories, family trees and obscure little details of all the meerkats, even the ones not in the show?

I think I was initially surprised at the success of the show, because when it started I thought people might well become bored after seeing a few of the programs and that it would be difficult for the program makers to hold people’s interest through the first 13-part series. Now, we’ve had four 13–part series and the interest in still ongoing.

I think the interest is very much in following the lives of individuals. Given that, it doesn’t surprise me that people want to know just what individuals are doing and what’s happened to them.

It has been suggested that some sort of meerkat undercrossing be constructed beneath the so-called "road of death," the well-traveled road near the research site. Is that being considered?

No, I don’t think so, because the meerkats can walk through the adjoining the roads at any time. So even if we did put something like that in, I think they’d very seldom use it. I don’t think there would be much point.

Are there any unusual or yet-to-be revealed meerkat habits you can tell us about, perhaps things that haven’t been as apparent in the show but yet are still very much a part of their culture?

I think there are areas we don’t get into very much; there’s a limitation for how much we can film underground for example. We (also) haven’t shown individuals that were substantially affected by TB, but I think the program actually gives a very good impression of how meerkats spend their time and what they do. It follows the lives of real individuals and tells their real stories; it’s really very close to reality.

Tell us a little bit about your book, Meerkat Manor: Flower of the Kalahari.

With the advent of the film, which follows the history of Flower, I thought it would be interesting to put together the details of Flower’s life that the film couldn’t do fully like we could do in the book. I thought by telling the history of Flower, from her birth through her death, through her many breeding attempts and the trials and tribulations of her life, I could help people understand what it’s like being a meerkat. While the book tells the history of Flower, it also tries to give people an introduction to animal societies and why animals behave the way that they do.

Now that meerkats have gone from the small screen to the big screen, what's next? What do they have in their future?

I don’t know – the filming side is outside my control, but I think one of the things the filmmakers are interested in doing is the possibility of telling more about the research side, (perhaps) a series of programs focusing on our interactions with the meerkats and what it’s like to work with them. I also know that a lot of people have been interested in doing the same sort of thing with other species – baboons, lions, elephants or hyenas – (so) we can see what comes of that. I think it would be difficult to produce programs with other species; meerkats are actually rather unusually ideal for something like that.

Does your family play a part in the Meerkat Project?  Do they get involved?

My wife has worked with me throughout. She was originally a zoologist and is now a wildlife artist. We did all the early work together, so her insights played a major role in structuring the research. She now does pictures and produces a number of (meerkat) designs that people are using on T-shirts and such, and did the pictures inside (my) book. My children – I’ve got a daughter of 7 and a son of 25 – have also come and helped out at various times.

What’s your ultimate goal for the Meerkat Project?

I don’t think I have one ultimate goal. In practice, scientists like me work toward goals that normally (reset) about every three years, because that’s the duration of the funding we get – so we identify what’s the next question we’re going to ask, and we work towards that.

I can tell you what the next question hopefully will be: we’re currently working on aspects of communication between pups and helpers, and we’re particularly interested in how pups signal their level of hunger and how this affects the frequency with which the helpers feed them. Also, we’re interested in the factors determining how meerkat populations increase and decline. Those are the next two strands of meerkat life we’ll be looking at it in detail, but I don’t have a long-term goal. I look rather at the meerkat groups as a wonderful facility for asking questions about animal behavior, and we’ll keep asking questions in turn for quite a few years to come, I think.

Sweet Child O' Mine

Episode 6 recap: “Great Expectations”

It’s a change of season in the Kalahari, and with it comes a number of changes among the meerkats as well. Rocket Dog is in the final stages of her pregnancy, and desperately needs a successful delivery to ensure her dominant female status among the Whiskers.

Over at the Commandos’ burrow, Zorro is settling into his newly acquired role as dominant male -- never mind that it’s with his family’s archenemy. He’s been busy making his mark (literally) all over his new home, as well as his new subordinates, to make sure they know there’s a new sheriff in town. Zorro may be the Commandos’ sheriff, but Nikita is still the mayor of the land, and her power is about to expand – as is her belly. Nikita is also pregnant, and having already given birth to 12 pups over the last year, she’s a shoe-in for Mother of the Year. Of course, that distinction would be based on quantity, not personality – in fact, Nikita’s temper is growing shorter and shorter, and she’s not about to let any of the other female Commandos use her pregnancy as an opportunity to oust her from her post.

While Nikita’s pregnancy has apparently made her increasingly feisty, Rocket Dog’s has made her particularly nervous. She needs a safe place to give birth. Now that Zorro has switched sides, Mitch has taken over responsibilities as the Whiskers’ dominant male and is on protection watch. Good thing too, as they spot a group of mysterious meerkats in the distance. The last thing the Whiskers need right now is a scuffle, but with Rocket Dog pregnant, this is no time to back down. They successfully chase off the strangers, and in the process, discover a burrow that could serve as a potential delivery room. Young Axel helps Mitch tidy up the new digs, but when Rocket Dog discovers the local offerings are lacking, she’s forced to keep the family moving to find food.

Back at the Commandos’ stomping grounds, there’s plenty to nosh on, and Nikita isn’t letting any of it go to waste. She could be eating for as many as six pups, as well as herself, so she has the perfect excuse to pig out. Of course, she has other things on her mind as well, including deciding which fellow females may pose a threat to her pregnancy. Right now, Rosie is public enemy No. 1: thanks to her liaison with Duke, she may also be with child, and that makes her a deadly threat. Pregnant female meerkats have been known to kill the dominant female’s pups to move themselves into pole position. Nikita is all too familiar with this fact, as she’s pulled this trick herself.

The Whiskers are facing threats as well, as a Marshall eagle looms overhead and Rocket Dog is without a safe haven to take cover. Her last pregnancy ended in tragedy, when she had to give birth above ground, and she doesn’t want a repeat performance. However, once her contractions have begun, there’s no turning back. Thankfully, it’s a false alarm and the eagle moves on. Rocket Dog, however, is drained and must accept the temporary refuge until morning.

The Commandos are also settling in for evening, all but Rosie, who has wandered to the outskirts of their territory in anticipation of things to come. However, a lone female meerkat in the desert at night doesn’t bode well, so she takes her chances and slinks back to the Commandos’ burrow.

Rosie is the first to rise the next morning, and though she managed to avoid confrontation throughout the night by sleeping in an adjoining tunnel, her luck has run out. Nikita unleashes her pent-up rage, and just like that, Rosie is the first to be evicted – it’s like Big Brother: Kalahari! Too bad Rosie didn’t have the Power of Veto!

Nikita has no intentions of stopping there. One by one, her initial group of 10 females dwindles, even though none of them are likely pregnant or any kind of true threat to Nikita’s status. Why takes chances, though? Zorro realizes it’s best to agree with the Mrs. and joins in on her kicking to the curb party. By the time she’s done, only Samba and Mash remain, and Nikita suddenly realizes she may have been a bit overzealous in her evictions, considering she’s going to need some baby-sitters very soon. It looks like Zorro may need to take on some Mr. Mom duties as well.

Rocket Dog’s demeanor is much calmer, likely eased by the discovery of a new burrow to serve as a lovely nursery. Just in time, too – shortly after, Rocket Dog’s 70-day pregnancy comes to an end with the delivery of two new pups, who are safely nestled underground with the protection of a baby-sitter. Now that she’s successfully given birth, Rocket Dog must make sure to eat so she can provide her young ones with the proper nutrition. It’s been quite the battle during her first year of leadership, but now that she’s officially a mom, things are definitely looking up!

What did you think about tonight’s episode? Will Nikita regret casting out so many of her own? Is Zorro in for more than he bargained for? And will Rocket Dog’s new pups bring her more security and respect? Leave your comments!

Open Thread: Great Expectations

Is there something in the water, because apparently everyone is preggers these days in the Kalahari. I’ve heard some expecting mothers are sometimes overcome with unusual cravings, like pepperoni sticks, Wendy’s Frostys or Cheez Whiz. Nikita just craves total control and power, while Rocket Dog seems like she’d be happy to find a nice place to call home. With little ones on the way for both the Commandos and the Whiskers, what do you think will happen next? Share your thoughts and come back tomorrow for the full recap!

A Conversation With Professor Tim Clutton-Brock: Part I

When it comes to the evolution of animal societies, Professor Tim Clutton-Brock, director of the Kalahari Meerkat Project, is one of the most seasoned and respected experts in the world. From insects and birds, to fish and mammals, he’s seen it all. Learn more about the findings of his research group at Cambridge, and how the scientific study of meerkat behavior led to bringing these beloved creatures into our homes every week.

For over a decade, you’ve been in charge of the Kalahari Meerkat Project – how did the project first come about?

I started the Kalahari Meerkat Project in 1993. Academics like me work on different things – I work on the evolutions of animal societies, and I’ve been previously working on polygynous (ones), where males compete to obtain access to groups of females. I felt I got about as far as I could go, and wanted to move (on) to look at some other system (such as) cooperative and social breeding systems, where one individual in each group is responsible for most of the breeding, and everyone else raises the young. Systems of this kind generate fundamental problems, because it’s not immediately clear why individuals should spend much or all of their lives helping other individuals breed, rather than breeding themselves.

After working on polygynous systems, I thought I’d move on to working on systems of this kind. The work David McDonald had done on meerkats suggested they might well be ideal (for this study). A number of people had made films on them, which showed they were fantastically visible – they lived in a very open environment where one could see whatever they were doing. I arranged to go to South Africa to the southern Kalahari to look at meerkats, and when I did, they were everything I hoped for and a lot more.

How many individual meerkats have you studied over the course of the project?

Over the course of the project, in total, probably somewhere between 3,000 and 3,500.

Why do meerkats form such close-knit family groups?

I think meerkats, like a number of other species that live in deserts, live in a very difficult environment where they have to rely on each other and other group members to solve problem. In the particular case of the meerkats, they obtain their food in daylight in a very open environment where they are susceptible to predation from a wide range of birds, mammals and snakes. To live in that environment, survive and manage to breed, they need an effective system for spotting predators and for protecting themselves against these predators.  They also need an effective system for guarding pups when they are left behind at the burrow while the rest of the group forages. I think all of those systems mitigate very strongly for cooperative behavior, and for the formation of tight groups where everyone plays a role in assisting with reproduction and making sure that group members survive.

We’ve learned a lot about meerkat behavior through Meerkat Manor, such as how mobs are led by a dominant female, who also serves as the group breeder. We’ve also seen what happens when another female within the same mob tries to take on the same role! Of all the aspects of meerkat behavior that you’ve studied over the years, which elements have been the most surprising?

I think the most surprising aspect of meerkat behavior is the presence in the same group of extreme cooperation and ruthless competition. Extreme cooperation in the sense that individuals go to great lengths to cooperate with each other, to contribute, to guard other individuals’ pups in the burrow, sometimes not eating for 24 hours at a time. Also, in the extent to which group members will attempt to protect each other, sometimes attacking predators much larger than themselves in order to rescue another group member. That’s one side of it.

The other is the ruthless competition between females driving each other out, killing each others’ pups, sometimes with mothers killing pups born to their daughters, and in some cases, ruthless evictions, often occurring between close relatives, either between sisters or between mothers and daughters, where they evict individuals, (leading them) to face a very uncertain future out on their own. So, it’s this very interesting combination of extreme cooperation and ruthless competition that I think is the most unusual element of meerkat society.

Why do you give names to all the meerkats in the study?

At any one time, we normally have between 200-300 individuals and we’re following 15 different groups, not just the Whiskers and those featured in the television program. If you’re going to maintain an easy way of identifying all those individuals, you basically have to give them names. Each individual has a computer code, and we use those codes in the numerical analysis that we do, but you can’t easily remember what happens to BDW-21023 – people (can’t) keep 200-300 of those in their head. In fact, we (would) need to (remember) because we’re commonly interested in who their parents were, or who their grandparents were. It’s easier to use their name, and then everyone knows who they’re talking about and you don’t make so many mistakes. I should say that farmers do very much the same thing (when) managing herds of cows or flocks of sheep – normally they also give them names, too.

Do you think the problem of TB in the meerkat population will be overcome anytime soon?

No, I don’t – TB is widespread in African carnivores in many areas of Africa. I think it relatively seldom leads to the actual extinction of populations, but it persists and wipes out particular groups. There’s nothing we can really do about it, because it’s fairly clear that it’s widespread in the general region of the Kalahari, and probably occurs in many different parts of South Africa. We can’t obviously eradicate that. So even if we some way were able to wave a hand and eradicate it on the reserve where we work, it would immediately seep back in from outside. I think it’s something meerkats live with and we have to live with too.

On our Web site, everyone has had a chance to see you interacting with the meerkats, including having them stand on your shoulders and even on your head. How often does this happen? What's it like to have a meerkat stand on your head?

It depends on the groups. There are certain individuals who get used to climbing on you. I should say they aren’t climbing on you for any sign of affection; it’s merely that you’re a convenient place to go on guard. The individuals that climb on you are usually the ones who do the most guarding.

What’s it feel like? Well, you get used to it. If you’re sitting down doing something, you suddenly feel a scratching on your shirt, and then the animal gradually climbs up onto your shoulder and then onto your head. When they’re on your head, they have quite long claws and they dig them in, so it doesn’t pay to move suddenly!

Be sure to come back to the blog next week for Part II of our interview!

Rove, Rove, Rove Your Boat

Episode 5 recap: “The Mark of Zorro”

After a tough winter, the early rains have turned the Kalahari into an Old Country Buffet, but in lieu of mashed potatoes and chicken friend steak, the meerkats comfort food comes by way of millipedes. The feast is key in helping the meerkats to regain their strength, especially the males because in case you hadn't heard, 'tis the season to be roving!

Leading the roving charge is Zorro, Rocket Dog's brother, along with four fellow Whisker males: Miles, Baker, Dizzy, and Duke. Zorro has high aspirations to become a dominant male in the near future, but before he can find a match made in Kalahari heaven, he needs to buff up a bit. Beetles make the perfect body building protein, despite the fact that they have the tendency to spit poison in a predator's eye.

Duke may be the youngest of the roving gang, but he's no less feisty. In fact, he may have bitten off more than he can chew — literally — with his scorpion snack. Meerkats are immune to their sting, but unfortunately, not the snap of a scorpion's claw. Seasoned meerkats know it's best to start with the tail when chomping and work your way to the top.

Meanwhile, rejected Sophie is roving solo and having far less luck in the food department. In the distance, she spots her former family in the midst of their daily foraging expedition, but Sophie knows she's no longer welcome at that dinner table. She's in desperate need of a meerkat in shining armor — former love Wilson perhaps? — but it's highly possible he’s already moved on.

Over at the Commandos burrow, Nikita continues to run a lean and mean operation, despite the fact she's lost half of her male army to the call of the roving wild. Her family now skews heavily female, but Nikita knows how to assert herself, chinning and scent-marking the girls to make it clear who's in charge.

However, Nikita is about to have more on her plate then just managing her own mob. Zorro and his roving posse are lurking in the distance, and their hunger for female attention is stronger than ever. A cautious approach would be wise, but young Duke makes an impulsive, novice move and blows his boys cover. Nikita sounds the alarm, and the chase is on!

Sophie is still having no luck finding a happy meal. About the only thing she's come across are ticks in the grass, which are quickly making their way into her fur. Before she was outcast, one of her family members would have helped groom out the parasites, but now she's left to her own devices. The sight of a lone meerkat in the distance sparks her attention, but it turns out to be adopted brother Axel. He's sympathetic to her plight and offers some temporary relief from the pain of the parasites, and the loneliness.

The next morning, the Commandos awake to discover two potential problems: Zorro and his boys are still nosing about, and circling in the sky above: white-backed vultures. Though these scavengers usually prefer carrion, that doesn't mean they won't try to make meerkats into a tasty feast. Nikita keeps her family close to their headquarters while trying to keep one eye on the sky and one on the rovers.

It's a standoff, and a sudden movement sends panic through the air, but thankfully it's a false alarm. The vultures fly off, and one threat is eliminated. The other however is mobilizing — Zorro takes center position while deploying Myles and Baker to the left, and Duke to the right. Duke spots a single female hiding under a bush. It's Nikita's sister Rosie, and Duke snatches the opportunity to become the first of the rovers to score. They head down into the burrow with the intention of turning it into a tunnel of love, but unfortunately this one also has its fair share of bugs. Not exactly the most ideal ingredient for romance, but they make the best of the situation.

Back above ground, another predator has thrown a wrench in Nikita's protection plan. This time, it's an eagle owl, which swoops in, creating confusion and chaos. Zorro and his boys use the distraction to edge in closer to the ladies, joining the Commandos into the burrow as everyone makes a dash for safety. It's a risky move, but once the owl has moved on, the roving Whisker males emerged unscathed.

They roll the dice again, this time scent-marking the entrances of a burrow that is clearly not theirs. A young Commando pops up to investigate, but he's sadly outnumbered. Zorro leads Miles and Baker down into the enemy lair, right in the path of Nikita who tries to intercept, but is pushed back further into the tunnel. She's wedged in and it appears has just fallen victim to an incredible coup.

When Nikita finally emerges from the burrow, she's surrounded by the stench of the Whiskers rovers, and Zorro even goes so far as to douse the feisty female warrior herself in a foraging hole. By this point, Nikita is putting up little resistance if any, and the two arch enemies now look surprisingly comfortable with each other.

It's been a dramatic day, but before it comes to a close, a late storm transforms the once parched desert into a glistening lake, at least for now. Zorro has certainly made his mark, having gone from rover to full-fledged dominant male. But Nikita has some triumphs of her own to celebrate as well — not only has she just recruited new soldiers but she also now has a partner-in-crime by her side.

What do you think of the pairing of Zorro and Nikita? Will this impact the progress Rocket Dog has made as a leader in her own group, despite the fact that she's pregnant? And will Sophie be able to find her way on her own? Predictions, please!

OPEN THREAD: THE MARK OF ZORRO

The boys are back in town! Though the meerkat world is one usually dominated by females, Zorro and his roving Whiskers apparently did not get the memo. Was his move to storm the Commandos lair and wedge his way in as Nikita’s right hand man bold, brave, or just plain boneheaded? Will Duke’s tryst with Rosie will end up biting them in the meerkat behind in the long run? And what will pregnant Rocket Dog do if she discovers her brother is sleeping with the enemy? Leave your comments and swing by tomorrow for the full recap!