21/01/2022
Lionesses (female lions), are able to give birth to cubs all year round. Pregnancy lasts for around 110 to 120 days.
They can control when they’ll have cubs. If there is no enough food around, they wait until there is before giving birth. They always leave their family pride and find a private den sheltered with bushes, or even a cave.
Lion Cubs weigh about 1.5kgs at birth and are born blind with eyes closed. Their eyes at birth are blue..but as they age, the color turns to brown. They have ‘rosettes’(spots similar to leopard) however, once they reach adulthood.. the spots fade, leaving a more uniform coat. Also, like humans.. they are born without teeth, and start their lives suckling their mothers milk.. until they are about 6-7 months old.
The eyes open when they are 2 to 3 weeks old..and when they’re about 3months old, they have all their milk teeth and are able to eat/chew small tender bits of meat effectively. From then, they begin getting their permanent teeth(12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, 4 molars).
By the time they’re 15 months old, they have no baby teeth left.
The cubs remain hidden for 1-2 months before being introduced to the rest of the pride.
Female lions stay within the pride all their lives but male lions either leave on their own accord.. or are driven off by the pride males at 2 to 3 years of age to prevent inbreeding in the pride.