In the African savannah, where the sun is low on the horizon and the earth glows warmly, two meerkats stand guard. They are part of a close-knit family, a colony that lives together and protects each other.
Meerkats are social animals that live in groups of sometimes as many as 30 individuals. Within such a group, everyone has a task: some look after the young, others dig new tunnels, and a chosen few - like these two - keep watch. They scan the surroundings for predators such as eagles, jackals or snakes.
By standing upright and using their keen eyes and ears, they can quickly detect danger. As soon as something is suspicious, they let out a warning cry, after which the rest of the group hides in their underground passageways at lightning speed.
But not everything is excitement and alertness. When it is safe, the young play around the burrows, group members groom each other's fur, and warm themselves together in the morning sun. Meerkats show how important cooperation and caring for each other are in wildlife.
As the sun slowly sinks, these two keep up their guard, a small but crucial part of a bigger picture - a family that can only survive together. ??
I am Nicoline Hoeve, photographer. I travel a lot and love taking beautiful pictures and of course sharing them with you!.. Read more…