Dublin Zoo is welcoming two new baby Meerkats.
The female pups join the mob of 16 Meerkats already in their habitat.
They were actually born weeks ago, but their Mums only revealed them to keepers in recent days.
Eddie O’Brien, team leader said, "We are delighted with the arrival of the pups. Both pups are doing very well. They are still feeding from their mother and recently they have also started eating solids. As carnivores they eat insects and mice."
Dublin Zoo was surprised to discover the two new pups
Although the pups were born at the end of May, the parents kept the young hidden in burrows for the first few weeks.
Throughout this period, the parents and aunts kept a close watch over the pups in the secret passages located behind a rock, warning each other with sharp barks if there were any signs of danger.
Meerkats demonstrate altruistic behaviour within their colonies where one or more meerkats stand guard, to warn others of approaching dangers.
The two Mothers kept their babies hidden until they felt it was safe to reveal them to zoo keepers
Meerkats are small mammals belonging to the mongoose family. They live in the drier parts of southern Africa including the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, the Namib Desert in Namibia, southwestern Angola and South Africa.
While hidden, members of the meerkat community kept the pups safe from harm
Dublin Zoo says anyone who is interested can come and have a look at the new pups
The two pups are in good health
