MEERKAT

The meerkat is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. In captivity, meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years, and about half this in the wild.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat

Like felines, meerkats have binocular vision, a large peripheral range, depth perception, and eyes that sit on the front of their faces. The alpha male and female of the Meerkat gang do most of the breeding.

Meerkats are 'snack size' for a number of animals, so one always stands guard while the others forage or nap. Females are usually philopatric and babysit the young in the group.

Meerkats are the first non-human mammal species seen actively teaching their young, rather than relying on observation alone.

ENDANGERED STATUS

No species of mongoose is known to be threatened or endangered. However, meerkats are one of the most strictly regulated animals in the world. They are illegal to own without the proper licenses and permits. It is listed as "lower risk" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/meerkat