* before reaching independence at 3 months of age young meerkats commonly run immediately to a nearby individual when hearing an alarm call
* female pups were more likely to survive than male pups (Russell et al. 2002).
* Young individuals (up to 6 months), especially before reaching independence at 3 months of age, are particularly vulnerable and suffer from a high mortality rate (approximately30%) from predation (Doolan & Macdonald 1997; Clutton-Brock et al. 1999b).