Compare the pumpkins! Meerkats get into Halloween spirit by taking over the patch

Like soldiers on sentry duty, this mob of meerkats stand guard to ward-off ghosts and ghouls from getting too close to their new pumpkin patch.



Each meerkat takes turn to spend a quick spell standing on the highest point in the enclosure - a giant Sumo pumpkin that is the centrepiece of the Wanyama Village at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey.



The furry creatures even look as if they are wearing Halloween make-up - thanks to the dark bands around their eyes which reduce glare, allowing them to look directly into the sun to spot predatory birds - or perhaps even evil vampire bats.



Simples: Two meerkats perch on the top of a Sumo pumpkin in their pen at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey

The squashes are just one of the tricks zoo-keepers use to treat the animals as part of their enrichment programme.



Meerkat keeper Jo Everson said: ‘They really seem to love climbing on the pumpkins.



‘They’ll probably eat the small ones but that Sumo will take some munching.



'They love to eat mealworms and crickets but they eat fruit and vegetable too - its great to find seasonal produce for them especially when it gives their enclosure such a festive look.’



The rest of the park is also getting a ghostly make-over as it prepares for the opening of Halloween Hocus Pocus which will be scaring visitors from October 22.

Halloween spirit: The creatures even look as if they are wearing masks - thanks to the dark rings around their eyes which help them resist the glare of the sun

