2011 Natura coin series Meerkat 1/10 oz 24 carat Gold

MEERKAT 1/10 OZ

The 2011 Natura coin series features “Nature's Families” and depicts the popular
Meerkat Family. The common obverse of this series shows part of a family in their typical
watchful stance, stretched high on their back legs to observe all and sundry on the
desert's horizon.
Meerkats are a type of Mongoose. The name “Meerkat” is the Afrikaans version of the
English name, Marsh Cat. However, Meerkats do not live near marshes and they are not
cats! They are found in the southern part of Africa which is dominated by the Kalahari
Desert. Their scientific name is Suricata suricatta
The reverse of the 1 oz Natura portrays a family of Meerkats, ever alert and watchful.
The families may grow as large as 40 strong and each Meerkat in the gang, has its own
important role to perform and skills to teach the pups.
The reverse of the 1/2 oz Natura portrays a Meerkat sentry on duty. In order to survive,
Meerkats must live in groups for protection and sentry duty is a main duty to be
performed by every meerkat at some stage.
The reverse of the 1/4 oz Natura portrays a watchful alpha male Meerkat on his hind legs
and the alpha female grooming a pup. It is the duty of the alpha male and female to
breed for the family.
The reverse of the 1/10th oz Natura portrays a Meerkat in an old tree searching for
termites and larvae. A typical Meerkat diet consists of worms, crickets, grasshoppers,
small rodents, lizards, small snakes, birds, eggs, fruit and ant larvae. Meerkats also love
to eat poisonous scorpions and appear to be resistant to many deadly types of venom.