The Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a small member of the mongoose family, which is part of the Feliformia ("cat-like carnivores") order. They are also refered to as suricates, slender-tailed meerkats and grey meerkats. Meerkats inhabit the deserts and scrub-lands of the sourthern African region including Botswana, Angola, Namibia and South Africa. They live in hierarchal family groups known as mobs or clans. Their complex co-operative society has made them become regarded as one of the most social mammals in the world. Wild meerkats have been known to live up to 12 years while those in captivity can live up to 15 years. However, there are reprots on one captive individual reaching 20.6 years old.