Dublin Zoo has a couple more additions to its family.
The two meerkat pups were born in July but are only now beginning to emerge into the public gaze.
They have spent the first few months of their lives hidden in burrows.
Throughout this period their parents and aunts kept watch over the secret passages calling out and warning each other if any signs of danger or predators.
The Zoo says this is typical of meerkats who demonstrate altruistic behaviour within their colonies; one or more meerkats stand guard, to warn them of approaching dangers.
Meerkats are small mammals belonging to the mongoose family.
They live in various parts of southern Africa including the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, the Namib Desert in Namibia, southwestern Angola and South Africa.
The zoo already had a family of 4 meerkats.
It is thought the new additions are female.
Visitors can see the pups in the Meerkat Restaurant at Dublin Zoo.
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