Suricates have two purposes for digging: shelter and food.
They shelter in burrow systems with several levels of tunnels and chambers. These burrows can extend tot 1,5 metres below ground. They ma dig these themselves, but they may also use burrows that were dug by yellow mongooses or ground squirrels, often living in harmony with both of these species.
Suricates use their keen sense of smell to locate prey, which they dig up from under stones, logs or sand. They eat mostly insects, but also small rodents, fruit, birds, eggs, lizards and even scorpions.

Britannica