Meerkat predator-scanning behaviour is altruistic, experts say

Monday, February 4, 2013 - 22:30 in Psychology & Sociology

In order to spot potential predators, adult meerkats often climb to a higher vantage point or stand on their hind legs. If a predator is detected, they use several different alarm calls to warn the rest of the group. New Cambridge research shows that they are more likely to exhibit this behavior when there are young pups present, suggesting that the predator-scanning behavior is for the benefit of the group rather than the individual.

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