Meerkats live in family groups of 10 to 20 in the Kalahari Desert region of Africa. They are small animals, weighing about 2 pounds and standing 12 inches tall. Meerkats have short brown fur with gray or tan markings around their eyes and ears. They have black tipped ears and dark bands on their sides, with a white face and throat. Meerkats live communally and care for pups together.