Quadruplet meerkats, born in Bristol Zoo in August, recently ventured outdoors for the first time.

The four identical animals frequently fall over as they try to find their feet but have begun digging like their parents.

The meerkats weighed just 30 grams each when they were born but are now strong enough to go outside. Although they still feed from the adult females, they have started to eat solid food and will become fully weaned in the next few weeks.

The zoo's overseer, Matt Webb, informed the Telegraph that the animals are still too young to determine their sex but it will be known whether they are male or female within the next two months.

Meerkats are a member of the mongoose family that inhabit all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa.

Meerkats are omnivores and can grow up to 54 centimetres including their tails.