Compare the meerkat to these little critters – a litter of six cusimanses which went on view for the first time.
The creatures, which are closely related to the meerkat, emerged from their burrow at Paignton Zoo in Devon.
Zoo staff were delighted at the birth of the sextuplets as cusimanses normally produce litters of two or three.
Keeper Marc Johnson said the six youngsters were very lively after being born four weeks ago to first-time parents Clive and Clarissa
He said: ”They are making very good parents. Dad is very protective, mum’s a little more relaxed.
”Six is a large litter size, especially for your first time. I think they will be rushed off their feet when the babies are more mobile.”
The cusimanse is a highly social mammal found in West African countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
It has good eyesight and a keen sense of smell, can dig well and eats insects, larvae, small reptiles and rodents.
