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Meerkats form groups in order to survive. Being such small animals, they are very susceptible to larger predators. However, when they are part of a larger group, there is a division of labor, a sharing of resources, and greater strength in numbers.  
Meerkats perform specific roles, hence the division of labor. The members of the group specialize in one of these specific roles, such as guard duty, babysitting the young, foraging, and sharing food. Even though each member has his or her own job, the meerkats are relieved of their duties by others so that they can eat. Each takes a turn at babysitting and guard duty for short periods of time. These duties are exhausting, and the willingness to share the labor displays the cohesion of the group. 

As seen by their sleeping arrangements, the meerkats are a closely knit group. This closeness is evident in the daytime as well. During the day, the meerkats forage for food out in the open savannah. This could be dangerous, but each member of the group takes a turn at guard duty by pausing briefly to stand erect and scan the skies for pedators. At other times, one of the meerkats who has specialized in guard duty will perch as high as 12 feet on a branch to watch the skies. His constant peeping lets the group know that the skies are clear. 

When one guard is relieved by the other, he is very hungry. This is due to the fact that meerkats are used to eating every few minutes. At each step they paw and sniff the ground until they smell food. They then begin a digging frenzy, sending the sand flying, until they capture the prey. They can move their own weight in sand in a matter of seconds, which is important when their dinner is running away.