CHEEKY MEERKATS USE PHOTOGRAPHER ‘LIKE TERMITE MOUND’ AFTER CLIMBING ON HIS HEAD TO KEEP EYE OUT FOR PREDATORS
A cheeky mob of meerkats used a photographer ‘like a termite mound’ after they climbed on top of his head to keep an eye out for predators.
Nick Kleer was leading a tour through Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana, in March when he lay on the ground to get a better view of the wildlife surrounding him.
Adorable footage shows several of the inquisitive animals wandering around the 34-year-old before clambering up his arms and taking a perch on his skull.
The meerkats used Nick’s head ‘like a termite mound’ for more than 20 minutes after the female leader first climbed on board while the babies wandering around him carefree.
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer 
PIC FROM Compass Media/Nick Kleer
Nick, from South Africa, said: “The area is very flat, so they use people to get higher. It was the leader of the group that first climbed on to me before the babies joined in.
“The longest they were there for was 20 minutes. It made me so happy. It’s such a wonderful experience. The babies are extremely cute.
“The meerkats have become so used to people they don’t see us as any threat. They just use us the same as they would a rock or termite mound to get a better vantage point.
“They’re very comfortable around people. It has never been encouraged, they just started doing it on their own.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. The youngsters scratch at your arm a bit as if they’re digging but it’s more of a tickle than hurting you.
“They’re very sweet animals. They only want insects, nothing else.
“There were five adults and five youngsters that we were trying to photograph. A few of them used my head as a vantage point.
“I like to be down low for my photography and the meerkats let you know if they want to climb on to you. They look at you and if you lean over, they’ll clamber on board.
“I’ve been a guide for more than 13 years now and I organise private trips around the world including to Brazil, India and Alaska.”
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