These lion cubs weren’t about to let their sleeping parents get a few peaceful moments in. While Mom and Dad slept, they were up and about, and eager to explore. Willy Hambana filmed the beautiful sighting at the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve.
As these cubs demonstrated, lion cubs are constantly active and curious, It’s not unusual to find them disturbing resting adults in the pride.
Like many parents, adult lions often nap after feeding or during the heat of the day. This is for the purpose of conserving energy, something many grown-ups can relate to!
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However, cubs, like kids, have an overflow of energy and these little ones decided to use the designated quite time as an opportunty to play.
They climbed over one another, bit each other’s tails, and even wrestled with their parents!
While the older lions slept, the chewed at their faces and climbed onto their backs. One of them even tugged at a male lion’s mane. They tested boundaries while learning social behaviour and coordination.
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Adult lions demonstrate extraordinary patience
Adult lions are usually patient with young cubs and tolerate the rough play because strong social bonds are important within the pride.
Lionesses in particular are highly protective and nurturing, often grooming and cuddling cubs even while trying to rest. Male lions can also show surprising gentleness, especially toward their own offspring, although they may occasionally growl softly or shift position when the cubs become too energetic.
This male lion was surprisingly composed, even when the cubs pulled at his tail and tugged at his mane. He might’ve been an apex predator, however, his cubs were still his cubs and he knew a thing or two about fatherhood.
Mom and Dad wake up
The tiny lions eventually succeeded in waking Mom and Dad up and they sat up to attention.
However, they didn’t seem too annoyed, even though they had been woken up. These were their little ones, after all.
Play, a learning experience
This kind of playful behaviour is more than just mischief. Wrestling, stalking, chasing, and ambushing siblings actually help cubs develop hunting and survival skills which they will need later in life.
Through play, the cubs will strengthen muscles, improve balance, and learn how to interact within the pride hierarchy. In the wild, lion cub mortality is high, so these early months are crucial for learning quickly while remaining under the protection of the adults.
With Mom and Dad up, the cubs continued with their playful antics. Many poignant moments were witnessed. In one, it appeared the mother was ‘hugging’ her baby, and there were clear displays of affection between Dad and his cubs.
These forgiving parents might not have gotten as much sleep as they would have liked, however, they had a greater reward… the jovial cubs which trusted their parents enough to tug at their tails without fear.