NOTES AND QUERIES.
MAMMALIA.
CARNIVORA.
The Suricate in the Transvaal.—With reference to my note on Cynictis penicillata (ante, p. 179), I have a similar observation to make respecting the true Meer-Kat or Suricate (Suricata tetradactyla). The 'Royal Natural History' positively asserts that it does not inhabit the country north of the Orange River.[1] I have myself seen the animals on the Free State Flats several years ago, and now have come across them in the Transvaal. On the 27th July a Boer brought in a Suricate, which was perfectly full-grown and apparently old. What is more, it was as savage as could be; and all who know the habits of this interesting little mammal must also be aware that it is very easily tamed. In addition, the Boer roared with laughter when I asked him whether the animal had really been caught in the Transvaal. "Waar anders?" (Where else?) he answered. "Do you think I brought or had this little beast sent from the Free State or Cape Colony?" For a long time past I had the idea that the Suricate inhabited the Transvaal, for the following reasons. Several acquaintances had tame ones, and they all, without exception, assured me that the animals had been caught in the Heidelberg and Pretoria districts. My suspicions were confirmed by the bringing in, straight from the veld, so to say, of a snapping, snarling creature. I have also long noticed their burrows. The ground is always in a way ploughed up within a certain radius of a "Meer-Kat's location." There can be no doubt as to the creature's identity. The 'Royal Natural History' itself says that there is no other Mungoose which has ears of another tint than its general body colour. The other characteristics of a Suricate need not be enumerated here. It is, however, certain that the animal is not in any way plentiful here in the Transvaal.—Alwin C. Haagner (P.O. Modderfontein, S.A.K.)
[This animal is not unknown in the Transvaal. I not only kept a pair alive when in Pretoria, but brought them home with me a few years ago. When coaching between Potchefstroom and Vryburg, I have seen quantities about their holes.—Ed.]
- ↑ The statement in the work referred to is: "Meerkats appear to be confined to the Cape Colony, extending at least as far north as Algoa Bay."—(Ed.)
