Weasel vs. Meerkat — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023
A weasel is a small, elongated carnivorous mammal found globally, while a meerkat is a social mongoose species native to Africa.
Difference Between Weasel and Meerkat
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A weasel belongs to the genus Mustela and is known for its slender body and sharp carnivorous traits. On the contrary, a meerkat is a part of the mongoose family and is renowned for its upright posture and social behavior, especially in the African regions.
Weasels have a broader distribution, being found in various regions across the world, including North America, Eurasia, and North Africa. Meerkats, however, are exclusively indigenous to parts of southern Africa, particularly the Kalahari Desert.
Weasels possess a long slender body, short legs, and a sharp snout, making them agile hunters. Meerkats are characterized by their sharp eyes, distinct markings, and an upright posture which they often adopt when looking out for predators or while sunbathing.
While weasels primarily consume small rodents, birds, and eggs due to their carnivorous nature, meerkats have a varied diet that includes insects, birds, plants, and small mammals. Behaviorally, meerkats are known for their social structures and live in clans or "mobs."
Weasels, in some cultures, are often associated with cunningness and stealth. Meerkats have gained popularity in modern culture due to media representations, especially in films and TV shows portraying their social and vigilant nature.
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Comparison Chart
Taxonomy
Belongs to the genus Mustela
Part of the mongoose family
Distribution
Found globally, especially in North America, Eurasia, and North Africa
Native to parts of southern Africa
Physical Appearance
Long, slender body with short legs and sharp snout
Sharp eyes, distinct markings, and often in an upright pose
Primary Diet
Carnivorous, consuming small rodents, birds, and eggs
Varied diet including insects, birds, plants, and mammals
Social Structure/Behavior
Mostly solitary
Highly social, living in clans or "mobs"
Compare with Definitions
Weasel
A small carnivorous mammal with a slender body.
The farmer was concerned about the weasel preying on his chickens.
Meerkat
An animal recognized for its "sentry" behavior.
One meerkat always acts as a lookout while the others forage.
Weasel
An elusive or sneaky person or behavior.
He's such a weasel, always avoiding responsibility.
Meerkat
A species that primarily dwells in burrows.
The meerkat clan returned to their burrow at dusk.
Weasel
A term used for any mammal of the genus Mustela.
The least weasel is the smallest species among true carnivores.
Meerkat
A small mongoose found in southern Africa.
The meerkat stood upright, scanning the horizon for predators.
Weasel
A person who uses deceptive or evasive measures.
She felt he was a weasel after he broke his promise.
Meerkat
A mammal characterized by its distinct facial markings.
The dark patches around the meerkat's eyes reduce glare from the sun.
Weasel
Weasels are mammals of the genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae. The genus Mustela includes the least weasels, polecats, stoats, ferrets and mink.
Meerkat
A social animal known for living in groups or "mobs."
A group of meerkats is often referred to as a mob or gang.
Weasel
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a long slender body, a long tail, short legs, and brownish fur that in many species turns white in winter.
Meerkat
The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. It is characterised by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern.
Weasel
A person regarded as sneaky or treacherous.
Meerkat
A small southern African mongoose, especially the suricate.
Weasel
To be evasive; equivocate.
Meerkat
A small burrowing mongoose (Suricata suricatta) of southern Africa, having brownish-gray fur and a long tail, which it uses for balance when it stands on its hind legs. Also called suricate.
Weasel
The least weasel, Mustela nivalis.
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta, a small carnivorous mammal of the mongoose family, from the Kalahari Desert, known for its habit of standing on its hind legs.
Weasel
Any of the carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a slender body, a long tail and usually a light brown upper coat and light-coloured belly.
Meerkat
A South African carnivore (Suricata suricata, formerly Cynictis penicillata), allied to the ichneumons, having a lemurlike face and only four toes; called also yellow mongoose and suricate.
While his compatrioits scuffle about in the sand for delicious scorpions or fat, tasty mice, one meerkat stands alone, bolt upright on an exposed perch, scanning for hawks with dark eyes wide, ready to call out at the first sign of danger. Like other such guards in the animal kingdom, these endearingly vulnerable meerkat sentinels have long impressed biologists as true altruists - creatures willing to forgo food and brave danger to protect others. Now a study in the current Science suggests that these beasts may not be such adorable heroes after all. Researchers have discovered that meerkats abandon their hunting to act as guards only when their bellies are good and full. And they appear to do so, not as an act of noble daring, but because by being the first to see a predator, they can be sure of being the first down a hole and out of harm's way. Standing guard, researchers concluded, may be the safest thing to do once a meerkat has had enough to eat. . . . Even the adorable meerkat may yet redeem itself as a bit of an altruist. Although being a sentinel may itself not entail great risk, it is hard to imagine a selfish reason for their giving a shout of warning before dashing for cover. . . .
Weasel
The taxonomic family Mustelidae is also called the weasel family.
Meerkat
A mongoose-like viverrine of South Africa having a face like a lemur and only four toes
Weasel
A devious or sneaky person or animal.
Weasel
A type of yarn winder used for counting the yardage of handspun yarn. It most commonly has a wooden peg or dowel that pops up from the gearing mechanism after a certain number of yards have been wound onto the winder.
Weasel
(transitive) To achieve by clever or devious means.
Weasel
To gain something for oneself by clever or devious means.
Weasel
(intransitive) To engage in clever or devious behavior.
Weasel
Any one of various species of small carnivores belonging to the genus Putorius, as the ermine and ferret. They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of their movements and for their bloodthirsty habit in destroying poultry, rats, etc. The ermine and some other species are brown in summer, and turn white in winter; others are brown at all seasons.
Weasel
Small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck
Weasel
A term sometimes used for an informer or traitor.
In the movie, the gang was betrayed by a weasel from within.
Common Curiosities
Are weasels and meerkats related?
Not closely; weasels are part of the Mustelidae family, while meerkats belong to the mongoose family.
What regions are meerkats native to?
Meerkats are native to parts of southern Africa, especially the Kalahari Desert.
Can weasels be domesticated as pets?
While some people do keep them, weasels are wild animals and can be challenging to domesticate.
Are meerkats carnivorous like weasels?
Meerkats have a varied diet, including insects, birds, and plants, but they can consume small mammals too.
Why do meerkats often stand on two legs?
Meerkats adopt an upright position to scan for predators and sometimes to sunbathe.
Is it true that meerkats have "sentries" within their group?
Yes, one or more meerkats often act as lookouts, alerting the group of approaching dangers.
How do meerkats deal with threats?
Meerkats use a combination of vocal alarms, mobbing behavior, and retreating to burrows to handle threats.
Are there different species of weasels?
Yes, there are several species of weasels, each adapted to its environment.
How do weasels hunt?
Weasels are stealthy hunters, relying on their agility and speed to catch prey.
What is the primary diet of a weasel?
Weasels primarily consume small rodents, birds, and eggs.
Do weasels live in groups like meerkats?
Generally, no. Weasels are more solitary, whereas meerkats are social animals.
How do meerkats communicate within their group?
Meerkats use a range of vocalizations to communicate about danger, food, or other matters.
Can weasels climb?
Yes, weasels are agile climbers and can scale trees to hunt or escape predators.
Are meerkats endangered?
Currently, meerkats are not classified as endangered, but habitat loss can threaten local populations.
Why do weasels have such a slender body?
Their elongated body allows weasels to chase prey into burrows and tight spaces.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
