Timon from the Lion King is a meerkat. What is a meerkat? Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are small (<1 kg) mongooses found in arid regions of southern Africa. They feed primarily on insects, arachnids, and small vertebrates, and spend much of their time digging in the sand in search of their prey. Unlike many other small mammals in these environments, meerkats are strictly diurnal. At night they seek refuge in sophisticated building systems. ;