Sunday 13 April 2014

Simples! Family of cheeky meerkats try their hand at photography while using ...


  • Will Burrard-Lucas, 30, captured family of meerkats in Africa

  • Mr Burrard-Lucas captured mother and pups outside burrow for first time

  • The cheeky critters used him as a lookout post before taking a snap


By

Chris Pleasance



Published:


12:05, 8 April 2014




|
Updated:


16:57, 8 April 2014




One of the biggest problems facing a wildlife photographer is how to get close enough to your quarry to get a good photograph.


But not for Will Burrard-Lucas, who was used as a lookout post by these cheeky meerkats, who even had a go at taking a picture themselves.


The adorable images were captured by wildlife photographer Mr Burrard-Lucas who spent six days with the new family in the Makadikgadi region of Botswana.


Scroll down for video


Wildlife photographer Will Lucas captured the family of meerkats while in the Makadikgadi region of Botswana


Wildlife photographer Will Lucas captured the family of meerkats while in the Makadikgadi region of Botswana



The cheeky youngsters used Mr Lucas as a lookout post before having a go at taking a picture themselves


The cheeky youngsters used Mr Lucas as a lookout post before having a go at taking a picture themselves



The family included one female and four young pups. The adult keeps a lookout while her children look for food


The family included one female and four young pups. The adult keeps a lookout while her children look for food



Meerkats are famous for their upright stance, and females can even nurse their young while on their hind legs


Meerkats are famous for their upright stance, and females can even nurse their young while on their hind legs



Mr Burrard-Lucas has photographed meerkats in the past and was delighted when he found he would be snapping a few new arrivals.


He said: ‘They’re normally extremely cautious but these meerkats in particular have no fear of humans so they were more than happy for me to get close.


‘They were climbing on me and trying to get as high as they could to have a good look around.


 





Meerkats are usually extremely cautious, diving for cover in their burrows as soon as danger threatens


Meerkats are usually extremely cautious, diving for cover in their burrows as soon as danger threatens



However this family had no fear of humans, as they showed by climbing all over Mr Lucas while he took pictures


However this family had no fear of humans, as they showed by climbing all over Mr Lucas while he took pictures



Meerkats are naturally hunted by birds of prey, and are so alert to aerial threats that the sight of a plane is enough to send the young ones running for cover


Meerkats are naturally hunted by birds of prey, and are so alert to aerial threats that the sight of a plane is enough to send the young ones running for cover



Meerkats are mammals, meaning the mother gives birth to live young. She typically has between four and six pups at any one time, and gives birth in a special burrow


Meerkats are mammals, meaning the mother gives birth to live young. She typically has between four and six pups at any one time, and gives birth in a special burrow



‘They are very small and the grass is quite long so they’re always looking for vantage points.


‘The new babies were only a few days old and I was fortunate enough to see them coming out of their den for the first time.


‘They were really cute and you can see them trying to stand and look for predators already.


‘In Africa there are a lot of predators so they are always on the lookout for potential danger.’


Meerkats are native to South Africa, where they live in large groups. The adults take it in turns to be lookouts, letting out a sharp, shrill call whenever danger is spotted


Meerkats are native to South Africa, where they live in large groups. The adults take it in turns to be lookouts, letting out a sharp, shrill call whenever danger is spotted



The mammals eat insects, lizards, birds, and fruit and communicate using purrs while on the hunt


The mammals eat insects, lizards, birds, and fruit and communicate using purrs while on the hunt



Meerkats lie wild in South Africa, but are occasionally captures and trained as rodent catchers


Meerkats lie wild in South Africa, but are occasionally captures and trained as rodent catchers



Mr Lucas said that there are three families in the region who are known to be responsive to humans


Mr Lucas said that there are three families in the region who are known to be responsive to humans



There are three families in the region who are responsive to humans.


The 30-year-old from Beaconsfield, Bucks, added: ‘I love meerkats and always enjoy my trips to Africa.


‘Fortunately the UK is as meerkat crazy as I seem to be so people are always happy to look through my work.’


Mr Lucas said the babies were only a few days old and he captured their first moments outside the burrow


Mr Lucas said the babies were only a few days old and he captured their first moments outside the burrow



Meerkat are always on the lookout for vantage points in the tall grass so they can easily spot the hawks and eagles which swoop down on them from the skies


Meerkat are always on the lookout for vantage points in the tall grass so they can easily spot the hawks and eagles which swoop down on them from the skies



Gaurd duty normally lasts for around an hour, with each of the adults taking turns to keep the group safe


Gaurd duty normally lasts for around an hour, with each of the adults taking turns to keep the group safe



He added: ‘They live in groups because they are susceptible to predators. Usually one will stand guard while the others look for food.


‘The guard will whistle loudly when a predator is nearby to alert the rest of the group.


‘Guard duty normally lasts around an hour and the babies looked like they wanted to take part themselves.’










Comments (44)


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someone,


somewhere,


5 days ago


alberto, London, United Kingdom, 29 minutes ago

meercats are lovely animals they look so so iteligent


Ha ha!! Oh the irony!

Meerkats are my fave, when i die i wish to come back as meerkat, simples!





alberto,


London, United Kingdom,


5 days ago


meercats are lovely animals they look so so iteligent





ElizabethA,


Bristol, United Kingdom,


5 days ago


These are such fabulous pictures – I absolutely love meerkats – they are so entertaining. I particularly like the first photograph. Thank you for making my day.





Deena,


London,


5 days ago


The little ones!!!!





Ellie,


Belfast, United Kingdom,


5 days ago


I want one …. Adorable :)





StatVeritas7,


Canada, Canada,


5 days ago


They’re just adorable!!





Kitty,


Merseyside,


5 days ago


Brilliant. More stories like this please!






DLloyd1992,


New Forest Southern England, United Kingdom,


5 days ago


When I was little I went to Marlwell Zoo on a school trip, and all the meerkats escaped. The teachers were running around frantically telling the kids to stay away, they’re vicious and WILL bite, my teach turned around and then saw me with about 5 meerkats on me. I was stroking them, I had one on my head and others in my jumper and on my lap. So cute and I wasn’t mauled by the apparently vicious beasts haha.






Charles,


London, United Kingdom,


5 days ago


How absolutely beautiful…I wish it had been me taking those shots :-)






The Contusie,


Up A Country, United Kingdom,


5 days ago


how did Meerkats keep unknown until the Tv show advert?



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