Crowned by the manes around its neck lion rules the African savannah with an iron fist. The lion is at the top of the food chain therefore it doesn’t have a predator unless at its most vulnerable moments.
Lions are born after gestation period of 110 days, the litters range from 1 to 4 cubs which are blind at birth and remain so for about one week.
They are born in a hidden den away from the rest of the pride to ensure their safety, during this period until they reach 8 weeks the mother solely provides, care and protects them against predators.
The lioness always moves the cubs from one location to another to avoid detection.
At around 8 weeks the cubs are introduced to the pride, this is a very crucial step for socialization and acceptance, from this moment henceforth the cubs become part of the pride and start to learn how to behave within the pride structure which will determine their role when they eventually become adults. They do so by observing, playing, interacting with other cubs and adults.
By play fighting, chasing and mock stalking among other activities they engage in, which are not only for fun but essential in sharpening their hunting skills and bonding.
As they grow older they are allowed to join in hunting at the periphery of the hunts to monitor the action up close.
At 2 years the male cubs start to develop manes and their personality start becoming more pronounced as they engage in serious play fights and become more assertive within the pride, they continue to learn, adopt and perfect the art until they reach adulthood.
At 4 years they are now adults, the males leave the pride, form a coalition with their brothers or cousins to take over new territory and mates of their own. The females become mothers and hunters in the pride.