Think meerkats are just cute little desert fluffballs? Think again. These tiny troublemakers are basically the stand-up comedians of the animal kingdom. For sure, they don’t hold anything back. As a wildlife photographer who’s spent way too many hours hanging out with these wild jokers in Botswana and South Africa’s Kalahari Desert, I’ve been climbed on, stared down, and yes… peed on. (Turns out, that’s their weird way of saying, “You’re one of us now.”)
I even got the ultimate invitation to join their den – sadly, I didn’t fit. But hey, I was this close to becoming a meerkat!
If you’re ready for some seriously funny, totally real meerkat madness – from me being their personal lookout post to witnessing meerkat fashion fails – just buckle up. These 11 moments will have you laughing, gasping, and maybe wondering if you want to hang out with meerkats too… just maybe bring a raincoat.
My Shoulder Scout
One of my favorite moments! I was crawling in the sand when I felt tiny feet on my back, then on my shoulder and head. A meerkat decided my head was the perfect place to stand watch! For ten minutes, a little sentry stood upright on my head, scanning the desert for predators. I was officially part of the meerkat security team. You can see a similar moment with my camera bag in the photo.
It turns out humans make great platforms. After the meerkat stood on my head, another one climbed onto my shoulder. It didn’t touch me, just rested its weight and stood upright. The meerkat used me as a living tripod and seemed perfectly happy. My friend took a photo of me, a dusty photographer with a big smile and a very serious meerkat on my shoulder. Totally normal, right?
#1 Warm Up!
Once they were all out, the whole meerkat group paused for a group sunbath. They turned their bellies to the sun and closed their eyes halfway, looking like tiny tourists relaxing on invisible deckchairs. Before digging and foraging, they just enjoyed the warm Kalahari sun.
20points
#2 Oh, Hello, How Are You?
On cool mornings, meerkats love to cuddle together. I watched a dozen pups snuggle near the burrow entrance, turning into a moving pile of ears, tails, and paws. Every so often, a sleepy face would appear, as if to ask, "Is it breakfast yet?" It was almost too cute to handle!
19points
#3 Dinner Dash!
This meerkat is making a quick getaway with its prize — a scorpion, no less! Talk about fast food.
19points
#4 Double Trouble!
These two meerkat pups are clearly plotting their next adventure (or just wondering where the snacks are).
19points
#5 Angry Pup
This little meerkat pup isn’t happy about being caught on camera, but that fierce expression only makes it cuter.
17points
#6 Double The Vigilance!
These two meerkat sentries stand side by side, keeping a watchful eye over the Kalahari landscape.
16points
#7 Welcome To Our Clan!
Picture a clown car, but with meerkats instead of clowns. Adults, pups, shy faces, bold faces, they just kept coming, pouring out of their burrow like popcorn. I was laughing so much and taking photos that I lost count. It was pure morning chaos!
15points
#8 Curious, But Accepted
This is how meerkats say, "You're one of us now!" After hours of quietly watching them, one meerkat calmly lifted its tail and leg and peed on me. It wasn’t aggressive or scared, just a casual way of saying, "You're ours now." Most people wouldn’t call this a career highlight, but for me, it was a strange, damp badge of honor! One was still not sure if she could accept me as a new member.
15points
#9 Even Meerkats Need A Break!
These two are taking a well-deserved lazy lounge on the warm Kalahari sand, soaking up the sun.
15points
#10 The Seeker
This meerkat’s alert gaze captures the spirit of the Kalahari’s ever-watchful sentries.
15points
#11 Baby Meerkat
Young meerkats don’t just walk, they bounce! Two pups on a small dune seemed to defy gravity as they chased each other, leaped, rolled, tumbled, and then started all over again. It looked like pure play, but it was also their way of learning to move quickly and recover from anything.
14points
#12 Someday I Can Fly!
Even with all their funny behavior, meerkats are very resilient. They depend on teamwork and always stay alert. One of my favorite photos is simple: a single meerkat standing still in the warm African sunrise, looking over the desert. There’s no chaos, just calm focus and quiet strength. It’s a reminder that behind the laughs, these animals are smart and hardworking, doing an important job.
14points
#13 What's That Over There?
This meerkat's curiosity is piqued, probably by a tasty bug or a particularly interesting pebble.
14points
#14 Did You Find A Bug?
Meerkats are digging machines! While photographing an extra-enthusiastic digger, I suddenly found myself in a mini sandstorm. Sand everywhere! By the time it found its prize (a tasty bug), I looked more like a half-buried statue than a photographer. I just stayed still, rolling a bit in the sand, and was happy to be part of the scenery. Later, I found sand everywhere.
13points
#15 When Meerkats Dig, The Kalahari Sand Flies!
This little one kicks up a cloud of red dust while its companion searches for breakfast.
13points
#16 Did You Hear That?
The whole meerkat mob is on high alert, perfectly synchronized in their watchful gaze. Probably just a leaf, but better safe than sorry!
13points
#17 Caught In The Act?
This meerkat looks like it’s peeking behind the bush for a quick break — nature’s own little bathroom break!
13points
#18 The Calm In The Chaos
This meerkat stands tall, keeping watch over the bustling Kalahari mob and all their hilarious antics.
13points
#19 Snack Time Or Daredevil Moment?
This fearless meerkat shows off its scorpion catch — talk about living on the wild side!
13points
#20 Dreamy Meerkat, Or The Dune View
A baby meerkat with a tiny body, big eyes, and perfect posture stood on a red Kalahari dune at sunrise. It was trying its best to act like an adult sentry. What you don’t see in the photo are the wobbles, the tumbles down the dune, and the determined climb back up. Practice makes perfect! Dreaming too!
12points