Three Lion Cubs Fascinated With The Tire Tracks (Panthera leo)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
Happy Caturday!!!
Female lions, lionesses, are able to give birth to cubs all year round, usually from the age of about three or four years old. Pregnancy lasts for around 110 to 120 days. Eventually, when it is time to give birth, lionesses leave their family pride to find a private den in the shelter of bushes, or even a cave.
When they are first born, cubs are very small. They have their eyes closed and don’t open them until they are two to three weeks old. Even then, they can’t see properly for another week or so, so need lots of care and attention from Mum. As they are unable to defend themselves, cubs are vulnerable to attack from large birds and snakes and even male lions.
Lionesses can have as many as six, so they are kept very busy making sure they are all safe.
If there are older cubs already in the pride, the mother must wait until her young are around three months old before introducing them. Older cubs often bully the smaller cubs and steal their milk, so they need to be big enough to stand up for themselves.
Young cubs drink milk from their mother’s teats. It is good for them and helps them to grow quickly. At around two to three months, they begin to eat meat as well with their small milk teeth. At six to seven months old, cubs stop drinking milk altogether.
Cubs are full of life. It is important that they play with other youngsters and adults members of the pride, as this helps them to bond. When playing, a cub can often be seen leaping on another’s back and biting their neck. - Internet
Three Lion Cubs Fascinated With The Tire Tracks (Panthera leo)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
Happy Caturday!!!
Female lions, lionesses, are able to give birth to cubs all year round, usually from the age of about three or four years old. Pregnancy lasts for around 110 to 120 days. Eventually, when it is time to give birth, lionesses leave their family pride to find a private den in the shelter of bushes, or even a cave.
When they are first born, cubs are very small. They have their eyes closed and don’t open them until they are two to three weeks old. Even then, they can’t see properly for another week or so, so need lots of care and attention from Mum. As they are unable to defend themselves, cubs are vulnerable to attack from large birds and snakes and even male lions.
Lionesses can have as many as six, so they are kept very busy making sure they are all safe.
If there are older cubs already in the pride, the mother must wait until her young are around three months old before introducing them. Older cubs often bully the smaller cubs and steal their milk, so they need to be big enough to stand up for themselves.
Young cubs drink milk from their mother’s teats. It is good for them and helps them to grow quickly. At around two to three months, they begin to eat meat as well with their small milk teeth. At six to seven months old, cubs stop drinking milk altogether.
Cubs are full of life. It is important that they play with other youngsters and adults members of the pride, as this helps them to bond. When playing, a cub can often be seen leaping on another’s back and biting their neck. - Internet