Brace yourself for an overload of "oohs" and "aahs" from the softer touches among us.
Adelaide Zoo has announced five adorable meerkat pups were born in the early hours of July 24 — the first meerkats born at the zoo in seven years — weighing just 100 grams each.
They spent their first weeks of life in their burrow under the care of parents Miney and Swazi, and have only just started venturing outside.
"Miney and Swazi are doting first-time parents, tending to the pups' every need and taking turns at sentry duty guarding their burrow," Adelaide Zoo meerkat keeper Jenna Hollamby said.
"The youngsters are still a little unsure of the big new world outside, but with a bit of encouragement from mum and dad they have started to explore their home."
The sex of the pups will be confirmed when they are eight weeks old, at which point they will also receive vaccinations.
The zoo recommends visiting the meerkat enclosure first thing in the morning, "or when the sun is shining".
"The pups are spending a lot of time inside, but every day they explore further from their burrow and are becoming more adventurous," Ms Hollamby said.
Despite their cuteness, however, meerkats are known to be aggressive and highly territorial so keep adoring fingers well away.
The little carnivores can breed at any time of the year and so far have produced more than 80 pups at Adelaide Zoo since 1993.
