Meerkat moment - Shem Compion - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2007

2007 Animal Behaviour: Mammals - Specially Commended

Shem Compion Click to enlarge Meerkat moment

Shem Compion (South Africa)

Meerkat moment

'This pup and its siblings were with an adult babysitter, in South Africa's Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. As they sat out in the sun, a hornet flew by. Usually very vigilant animals, always on the look out, thoughts of danger immediately turned to those of lunch. For a moment, these two were transfixed.' Meerkats are extremely vigilant - their lives depend on them spotting raptors flying overhead. They also live in colonies and are highly social, teaching their young, for example, how to extract stings from insects. They eat mainly insects, but also eggs, lizards and rodents. Meerkats belong to the mongoose family, closely related to genets and civets.

Nikon D200 + Nikon 200-400mm f4 VR lens; 1/320 sec at f8; ISO 100; beanbag.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.