Meerkat pups have been born at the San Diego Zoo for the first time in six years! Visitors can see four babies energetically playing and exploring inside Africa Rocks today.

Shaka, the matriarchal leader of the mob (large group of meerkats dwelling together), birthed this litter of slender-tailed meerkats recently. The pups are still nursing, leaving Shaka with a big appetite. According to the zoo, the first-time mother has good instincts: running safety checks of the underground tunnels and making sure other members of the family spend time babysitting and teaching the pups. Visitors might get a glimpse of the pups nursing, eating, learning to dig, playing and exploring the underground burrows.

Meerkat mobs work cooperatively with sentries on guard while others look for food. The iconic guards are known for climbing to a high vantage point, standing on two legs to show their foot in height, then using their tale as a kickstand. The meerkats make soft sounds to stay in contact and the guards let out loud cries if danger is spotted.

Shaka is the mob boss in this matriarchal society with one male partner she produces pups with. The rest of the family works together to keep each other, and the pups, safe in their desert habitat. While not on guard duty or searching for food, the mob spends a lot of time playing and grooming together to build tight bonds. Meerkats also enjoy basking in the sun, although the burrows keep them cool if it is too hot.

Meerkats have adapted to their desert homes by hydrating from roots and fruit rather than drinking water. The animals are not herbivores though— they are known for taking down dangerous snakes and scorpions, using a slight immunity to venom to their advantage.

Meerkats are most active during the day, making them easy to view at the zoo inside Africa Rocks.