The meerkat is the African safari animal known for using abandoned termite mounds as lookout posts.
Meerkats live in dry southern African environments where raised ground provides a useful view over grass and scrub. A sentinel may climb a termite mound, rock or other elevated spot while the rest of the group searches for food. From that position, it can detect approaching raptors and ground predators.
Termite mounds are not merely platforms. Meerkats also dig or occupy burrow systems, and abandoned burrows made by other animals can provide shelter from heat, cold and danger. Their dark eye patches may reduce glare in bright sunlight, although the main protection against predators is group vigilance.
Meerkats forage mostly on the ground, probing soil and leaf litter for insects, larvae, scorpions and small vertebrates. Their social cooperation allows adults to guard, babysit and help feed pups.