Playful baby meerkats scramble over each other as they explore for the first time

Two mischievous meerkat pups have emerged and taken their first outside steps at Chester Zoo.

Since being born on 28 May, the tiny twosome had been kept safely tucked up in their underground burrows by parents Huskie (mum) and Beagle (dad).

But now, six weeks later and each around 250 grams heavier, the delightful duo have ventured out to begin exploring the world for the first time.

Under the guidance of mum, dad and the rest of the mob, the pups – which arrived after an 11-week gestation – will now learn how to forage for food, groom one another and play together.

These activities will all help to encourage close family bonds and unity in the group. Currently the pups are too small to sex and so zookeepers are yet to give the new arrivals their names.

Meerkats are native to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Angola and live in open country and sparse woody scrublands, feeding mostly on lizards, birds, bugs and fruit.