How to Draw a Meerkat (Easy Step by Step)
A meerkat standing tall on its back feet is one of the friendliest animals to draw. It is built from just a few simple shapes: two ovals for the head and body, half circles for the ears, circles for the eyes and paws, small ovals for the feet, and one curved line for the tail. Once the shapes are in place, the wide, round eyes do all the work.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a meerkat step by step
How to Draw a Meerkat · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The head
Draw a round oval near the top of your page, a little wider than it is tall. This is the meerkat's face.
Step 3: Ears and eye dots
Draw a small half circle on each side of the head, up near the top, so each ear touches the head. Then put two small dots side by side in the middle of the face for the eyes.
Step 4: The tall body
Under the head, draw a long, tall oval that is about as wide as the head. Start at the bottom of the chin, curve down each side, and close it with a gentle curve at the bottom.
Step 5: Eye rings and nose
Draw a circle around each eye dot, so each dot ends up in the middle of a ring. Then add a small round dot for the nose, below and between the eyes, near the chin.
Step 6: Arms and paws
Draw two curved lines hanging down from the middle of the chest, one on each side. At the bottom end of each line, draw a small circle for a paw.
Step 7: Little feet
At the bottom of the body, draw two small ovals side by side, one for each foot. Let the tops of the ovals tuck under the body line.
Step 8: The curved tail
Start at the lower right side of the body and draw a long, swooping curve out to the side. Let it bend upward at the end.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your meerkat? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a ring-tailed lemur or how to draw a puffin next.
Tips for drawing a meerkat
- Draw the head oval first and make it a little wider than it is tall. That gives your meerkat a big, curious face.
- Keep the two eye dots the same distance from the middle and at the same height. Then draw a ring around each one so the eyes match.
- Draw the tail last and start it from the body. If it is too short, simply make the curve longer and bend it up at the end.
Free meerkat coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this meerkat coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your meerkat drawing
Try sandy tan for the body and a darker brown for the eye rings, the ears and the paws. For a creative twist, give your meerkat a tiny scarf or a pair of sunglasses, and draw a desert sunset behind it.
Meerkat fun fact for kids
Meerkats take turns being the lookout. One stands up on its back legs and scans for danger while the others dig for food, and it barks to warn the group.
Questions about drawing a meerkat
What shapes do I need to draw a meerkat?
You need two ovals for the head and body, half circles for the ears, circles for the eye rings and paws, and two small ovals for the feet. The tail is one long curved line.
How do I make my meerkat look cuter?
Make the eye rings big and round, and keep the nose small. Try drawing the ears a little larger for a friendlier face.
How do I make my meerkat look like it is standing up?
Draw the body as a tall oval and put the feet at the very bottom. Let the arms hang down the front of the chest, ending in small round paws.
