Sentinel behavior in meerkats is a fundamental welfare-relevant behavioral need that captive environments must accommodate to support psychological wellbeing.
Sentinel behavior in meerkats is not merely an optional activity but a behavioral need whose expression is essential for psychological wellbeing. Meerkats that cannot perform sentinel behavior experience chronic low-level anxiety from the persistent perception of unsafety. This is not simply about physical sentinel duty but about the opportunity to express a fundamental behavioral repertoire that provides psychological security for the group. Zoo enclosures that provide multiple elevated platforms at different heights, clear sightlines in multiple directions, and an environment where sentinel behavior is rewarded by actual information about the surroundings provide the fullest expression of this welfare-relevant need.