In this adorable video, two lion cubs follow their mama across what seems to be an easy terrain. But their short little legs struggle to keep up with her long strides! Let’s learn a bit more about how these babies learn to survive.
Small, Fierce Cubs
It is mind-boggling to think that these tiny cubs struggling to cross the terrain will grow into big, powerful, and agile predators. Even more so when you learn that lion cubs are born with their eyes closed and no teeth. Depending on their mama’s protection and care for the first couple months of their lives.
How Do They Survive?
Mama lions hide their cubs from the world for the first 2 months of their lives. During this time they drink her milk and are normally completely weaned by 10 months. While hidden from the world, the cubs learn how to walk and grow their baby teeth. They spend their time playing with each other and napping up to 20 hours a day.
Learning The World
When their mama introduces them to the rest of the pride between two and three months old, they also eat meat for the first time. And by the time they reach one year old they only eat meat. Although they only eat meat, lion cubs only start hunting at about two years old – a skill taught by their mama.
Growing Up
Cubs are cared for by their mamas until they are between two and three years old. During this time the lioness teaches them all the skills they need to survive and live independently. When cubs are about three years old they are fully developed and ready to take on the world by themselves!
Some Lion Cub Facts
- They weigh only about 4 pounds at birth
- They only open their eyes between 3 and 11 days old
- They learn how to walk between 10 and 15 days old
- They are born with spotted coats which disappear as they age
- They sleep for around 20 hours a day
The Video
Last Thoughts On These Lion Cubs
Seeing how tiny and helpless these powerful predators are when they are young is incredible. And even more amazing to see how caring a lioness is towards her cubs, ensuring they learn all the life skills they need to thrive in the wild before she leaves them to be independent.
If you enjoyed this article, have a look at our Big Cats page for more. Or, you might enjoy these:
- The Mighty Lion’s ROAR
- Have You Ever Seen A Leopard Fall Asleep?
- Lion Pride On A Walk – Can You Count Them?
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