Scroll down to watch this video of a mother lion teaching her cub a hard (but very important) lessen as she pushes into the water for a surprise dip!
When Do Lions Learn How To Swim?
Just like their house cat relatives, lions aren’t the biggest fan of water – but desperate times call for desperate measures.
In the wild, they usually encounter water for the first time around 6 months of age when they have to cross a river or something of the like. Although zoo habitats are controlled, similar introductions to water can occur accidentally, as seen in the video.
Is This Maternal Instinct at Play?
This mother quite literally threw her cub into the deep end, and sometimes that’s the best way to learn something.
The actions of the mother lion might seem surprising, but they could be part of teaching critical survival skills. In the wild, mother lions often push their cubs to learn necessary skills.
How Fast Can Lions Swim?
As previously stated, lions aren’t thrilled by water but when life calls for it they can pull through. In short bursts, they can swim at 6 miles per hour. Although slow compared to their running speed (which is 50 miles per hour) it’s still impressive.
The Video: Mother Lion Pushes Cub Into Water
Wrapping Up
Where would we be without our mothers? Throughout the animal kingdom, we see mothers teaching their babies how to survive in life. It might not be appreciated at the time, but it’s still crucial for our survival.
Thank you for reading this story about the mother lion who knocks her cub into water for a harsh swimming lesson! For similar posts, take a look here:
- Best Friends: 500-lb Lion & Tiny Dachshund
- Lion Found Sleeping In A Massive Cactus Tree
- Lion Scratches on Door to Come Inside
Join our Forum for free today!
For any feedback please message to Feedback@animalsaroundtheglobe.com