1. My mystery animal by Maisie Gravestock-7W

2. I am a mammal, therefore a vertebrate, who lives in not only the African plains but also parts of the Kalahari Dessert of Botswana, much of the Namib Dessert of Namibia and south-western Angola. I have a long, slender body and limbs with a total length of 14 to 20inches. I have a varied diet which consists of insects, lizards, birds and fruit. Sometimes I even treat myself to scorpions, but I have to be careful of predators. I get hunted by martial eagles, tawny eagles and jackals. I sometimes die of snake bites from puff adders or cape cobras. I don’t live on my own, but in a group which can be called a mob, gang or a clan. I have between 20 and 50 family members and we each live for about 8 years in the wild. I am the only member of my genus (suricata). I am between 10 and 20 inches tall when up on my hind legs and I weigh 1.5-2.5 pounds. My mob and I communicate with purring sounds and we also use a sharp shrill call as a sign for all to take cover. I have a tan/grey coat and dark patches of fur around my eyes. I belong to the mongoose family. extra clueextra clue.

3. Who am I? !I’m a meerkat! QUICK FACT Mothers can nurse their young while standing! Mothers can nurse their young while standing QUICK FACT Females give birth to two to four young each year in one of the group's burrows. QUICK FACT Young meerkats are so fearful of predatory birds that even airplanes will send them diving for cover.