The eight-week-old Meerkat kitten has had its first visit from a veterinarian.

Dr. Kate Bodley gave the kitten a general checkup as well as giving vaccinations to both the kitten and its mother Praetoria.

In spite of their name, Meerkats don't belong to the feline family.

Meerkats are actually one of the 66 Viverrid species, a widespread and diverse family of carnivores, including the civets, genets, and mongooses.

However, Meerkats are susceptible to diseases that can infect cats, so part of the Zoo's preventative health program is to vaccinate them against catching cat flu and feline enteritis.

The Zoo's Grey Meerkats, or Suricates, are native to arid areas of Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana. They live in extended family groups, and only the dominant pair will breed. All other adults assist the dominant pair to raise their young.

Meerkats are well known, and appreciated, for their high level of activity, and for the continuous interaction between the group members.

Meerkats are also noted for their distinctive ‘sentry' system, with at least one group member standing guard on behalf of the others.

The individual on sentry duty often seeks a high vantage point to assist in spotting any approaching predators. They also scan the skies on the lookout for birds of prey, which are a major threat in their native habitat.

At this young age it is difficult to distinguish between male and female Meerkat kittens, so as yet the kitten's gender has been confirmed. It may be possible to identify the gender when the kitten gets its next vaccination in about four weeks.