a small, four-toed, burrowing carnivore (Suricata suricatta) of S Africa, of the same family (Viverridae) as the civet and mongoose
See suricate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
su·ri·cate
noun
A small, burrowing, carnivorous mammal (Suricata suricatta) of southern Africa, related to the mongoose and having grayish fur and a long tail, which it uses for balance when it stands on its hind legs. Also called meerkat, sticktail.
Origin: French, from obsolete Dutch surikat, macaque, probably of South African origin.