Ep 5. Tale of Len & Squiggy

Tale of Len & Squiggy is the fifth episode of the third season of the popular nature documentary series, Meerkat Manor. In this episode, viewers continue to follow the daily lives of the Whiskers meerkat family in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa.

The episode focuses primarily on two male meerkats, Len and Squiggy, who are both vying for the position of dominant male within the group. Len, who is currently the dominant male, is feeling the pressure of his role as protector and leader of the group. He is being challenged by Squiggy, a younger meerkat who is eager to take over the top spot and claim his place as the group's alpha male.

The episode begins with Len leading the Whiskers on a foraging expedition, searching for insects and other small prey to sustain the group's energy. As they hunt, Len keeps a watchful eye on Squiggy, who is trailing behind the group. Squiggy appears to be biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to make his move.

At one point, Len leaves the group to mark a territory boundary, leaving Squiggy alone with the rest of the Whiskers. Squiggy takes advantage of the opportunity and tries to assert his dominance over the females by mounting one of the females, but the female quickly rebuffs his advances.

As the day wears on, tensions between Len and Squiggy escalate. Len becomes increasingly aggressive towards Squiggy, chasing him off whenever he gets too close to the females. Squiggy, however, refuses to back down and continues to challenge Len's authority.

As night falls, the Whiskers settle in for the evening, with Len and Squiggy both vying for a prime sleeping spot at the center of the group. Eventually, Len emerges victorious, but not before giving Squiggy a fierce bite on the nose.

The next day, Squiggy is nowhere to be found. Len and the rest of the Whiskers search for him, calling out in alarm. Eventually, Squiggy is located, but he is injured and unable to participate in the group's daily activities.

Despite his injuries, Squiggy refuses to give up his fight for dominance. He continues to challenge Len, even as he struggles to keep up with the group.

In the end, Len emerges victorious, cementing his position as the dominant male of the Whiskers. But the episode leaves viewers wondering whether Squiggy will continue to challenge Len, or if he will submit to his rival's authority.

Tale of Len & Squiggy is a riveting episode of Meerkat Manor that highlights the fierce competition and the complex hierarchy of meerkat society. With stunning footage of the Kalahari Desert and insightful commentary from a team of expert wildlife documentarians, this episode is a must-see for fans of nature documentaries and animal behavior.