@natgeo: It's hungry work being this adorable, but Mom is happy to provide. Ordinarily, in meerkat clans, only the dominant female and her partner are allowed to mate. Others in the group are tasked with rearing her young and teaching them to hunt, groom each other, and defend the clan. While the social structure is complex, it's a cooperative way of life that's becoming more important as the Kalahari grows hotter and drier. Learn why powerful matriarchs are vital to meerkat survival at the 🔗 in bio. Video by @Otto Whitehead