Dark eyes blink ... Furry body scurries ... Meet the meerkat! Brimming with vivid photos and scientific facts, this middle-grade nonfiction book treats researchers and wild animal lovers to a comprehensive profile of these burrowing mammals from the mongoose family. It covers zoology topics such as anatomy, diet, habitat, and life cycle, as well as species conservation efforts and the desert animals' relationship with humans throughout history. Sidebars, a range map, and a glossary support the main text, while a South African myth about the meerkat adds a cross-curricular cultural layer to the title.