Meerkats have a wide repertoire of vocalizations that they use to communicate with one another. Most research on meerkat communication has been based on studies of adult animals. Little is known so far about the vocal repertoire of young meerkats.
The University of Zurich (Prof. Marta Manser’s research group) is now studying how meerkats’ vocalizations develop from birth through adulthood. To this end, the researchers are recording the vocalizations of young meerkats here at Zurich Zoo using a microphone.
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Do meerkats recognize the alarm calls of other species?
When meerkats sense danger in their surroundings, they warn each other with different calls. These alarm calls vary depending on the urgency and nature of the danger.
In addition to meerkats, other animal species also use alarm calls. Interestingly, various animal species respond not only to their own warning calls but also to those of other species.
Meerkats with a young at the Zurich Zoo. Photo: Zurich Zoo, Enzo Franchini
The research team is therefore also investigating how both wild and captive meerkats respond to the alarm calls of other mongoose species. The findings may help us understand how meerkats recognize alarm calls and whether they might learn to recognize the calls of other species.
