From Meerkat Manor to the deep and elaborate burrows and tunnels in the desert, meerkats are one of the smartest and bravest species in the world. These small but mighty mongooses are known for standing up and staring at visitors of the African deserts. Meerkats usually stay in groups or clans, which helps them fend off predators and find more food. Meerkats are part of the herpestidae or mongoose family, with three subspecies and no common ancestor, scientists are still looking for more fossils. Meerkats are yet to be linked to a common ancestor of herpestidae family.

Meerkats have many ways of adapting to their environments, one being groups and families. Being in groups helps the meerkats find more resources in the desert and fend of predators. Another way meerkats have adapted to their environment is by using underground tunnels. These tunnels keep the meerkats protected from predators and the harmful desert conditions. Lastly, most meerkats also are immune to most venomous snakes and scorpions, which helps them stay healthy and fight or eat these contenders.

Meerkats have no fossil record proof of a common ancestor or evolution, but many evolutionists believe that meerkats came from random changes over long periods of time. This theory supports the idea of macroevolution, as there were changes over long periods of time.

Meerkats impact everyday life in the desert in many different ways, such as controlling the population of venomous organisms. Humans also impact the everyday live of the desert, as we destroy the environment to build things. This can leave meerkats without a place to live and reproduce.

Meerkats interest and challenge scientists to find fossils for evolutionary evidence of a common ancestor.