A Meerkat Family Story
In A Meerkat Family Story, narrator Sir David Attenborough introduces us to a lively family of meerkats working together like a well-organized team. At the center is their queen, who leads the family and is the main one to have pups. These pups are now learning key survival skills, like digging for food and carefully handling scorpions. For safety purposes, one meerkat always stands guard while the others rest or play, showing the power of teamwork. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Lesson Express
Q: How does the role of the Queen meerkat affect the survival and organization of the group?
A: The Queen meerkat is essential for the group’s survival because she is the primary one who procreates, ensuring the continuation of the family. Her leadership helps maintain order and ensures the group works together to protect and nurture the pups.
Q: How does the practice of older meerkats teaching younger ones demonstrate the importance of cooperation in their family structure?
A: It shows that meerkats rely on shared knowledge to survive. By teaching the younger ones, the older meerkats ensure the next generation can fend for themselves, contributing to the overall strength and continuity of the group.
Q: What do you think would happen if meerkats didn’t take turns standing guard? How does this teamwork benefit the group?
A: Without a guard, the group would be vulnerable to predators while they sleep or forage. Taking turns standing guard ensures the safety of the entire family and allows everyone to rest or focus on finding food without constant fear of danger.
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In Meet the Drongo, the Desert’s Biggest Trickster!, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the mysterious Kalahari Desert, a dry and ancient land full of strange wonders. Discover the bond between meerkats and clever drongo birds, one of nature’s biggest tricksters. During winter, the drongo mimics warning calls to steal food from the meerkats, but they’re smart enough to catch on to its tricks. Despite his sneaky ways, the drongo is a loyal ally most of the year. This video is excerpted from BBC's Africa, a study of the landscape and wildlife of the world’s wildest continent, Africa.
In Meet the Drongo, the Desert’s Biggest Trickster!, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the mysterious Kalahari Desert, a dry and ancient land full of strange wonders. Discover the bond between meerkats and clever drongo birds, one of nature’s biggest tricksters. During winter, the drongo mimics warning calls to steal food from the meerkats, but they’re smart enough to catch on to its tricks. Despite his sneaky ways, the drongo is a loyal ally most of the year. This video is excerpted from BBC's Africa, a study of the landscape and wildlife of the world’s wildest continent, Africa.