Meerkat's Tiny Squeaks While Getting Belly Scratches Have People Obsessed
When was the last time you saw a meerkat? When was the last time you saw a meerkat...getting his belly scratched? Well today's the day! Video of animal lover Ruben Lambrechts giving a meerkat some belly runs has people swooning on the internet. And TBH, people were sort of jealous that he has a meerkat BFF.
Lambrechts was chilling with the animal when he decided to give the little guy some love.
In the footage the man shared, the meerkat looked like he was totally chilling on the ground when Lambrechts started tickling his belly. Who knew that meerkats liked to sit like humans do? Even cuter, the meerkat started making the tiniest squeaks too. He was definitely loving all the attention.
"Belly scratches for Minki the meerkat," the video's caption reads.
People in the comments section were obsessed with Minki's little noises. "Well now I'm upset cause I'm never going to get to tickle a meerkat's tummy. Life is so unfair," wrote one commenter. "Why do they sit like this? I went to a zoo recently and they were doing the same thing," someone else wondered. "Annnnnnnndddd now I want a meerkat," a third person added. "HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LIVE MY DREAM," one commenter exclaimed.
Do Meerkats Make Good Pets?
We've been fans of meerkats ever since we first saw them in Meerkat Manor. Heck, since The Lion King (Timon was always one of our favorite characters). Seeing Minki and Lambrechts bonding has only made us bigger meerkat lovers. So we have to wonder: do meerkats make a good pet?
Sadly, there's a reason why you won't find a meerkat in your local animal shelter or pet shop. They aren't exactly meant for domestication. Meerkats may look sweet, but they have very specific needs that most people aren't really equipped to handle. They tend to eat mostly insects, which isn't exactly something that's readily available like dog or cat food and might be hard for people to consistently have access to.
There's also their temperament to consider. When they're young, meerkats can be friendly. But at about 6 months things take a sharp turn. Once they reach that age they can become sort of aggressive. They now understand that they need to protect their group and will go after anyone who threatens their gang.
It's all to say that if you really want to get up close and personal to meerkats, it's probably best to leave it for your next trip to the zoo.
Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
