The memorable sighting was captured by Trevor Lagerwall.
Lions walk in unity through the reserve
A pride of lion, consisting of lionesses with their cubs, walked in unity down a sand road in the reserve. They presented a magnificent sight, as lions always do. The presence of the little ones added to the magic of the moment.
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The pride was on the move and walked with a certain determination. However, their purposeful gait was soon disturbed by a snake, which was making its way across the road.
The lion cubs in the pride soon noticed the snake, a puff adder. They couldn’t resist being enthralled by the unknown creature. Curiosity had gotten the better of them. They determined to get closer to the snake.
Cubs spot puff adder on the road
The puff adder’s thick body was clearly visible on the road. Its distinct shape exuded a quiet menace.
The cub which first spotted it crept forward, ears forward and tail twitching. Another cub joined in, and then another, until all were clustered around the unfamiliar creature, fascinated.
The adult lionesses stayed close by, recognising the threat.
At this age, lion cubs are inexperienced and naturally curious. They often investigate anything new with their paws or mouths, using touch and smell to learn about their environment.
One cub stretched out a tentative paw as though to give the snake a gentle tap. However, it didn’t quite touch the snake.
The snake remained relatively still. It relied on its camouflage to ward off any further interaction. However, the cubs were too young to understand the threat fully.
One of them circled around to the side, peering intently at the adder’s head.
Adult lioness supervises curious cubs
Their mother had noticed the commotion. She supervised the group of curious cubs, guiding their interactions.
The cubs instinctively left a distance between themselves and the snake, though a few lingered close by, still craning their necks to get a better look.
The adult lionesses understood the danger the snake posed. Puff adders are among the most dangerous snakes in Africa. Their venom is cytotoxic, causing massive tissue damage. In small animals or cubs this could result in potential death.
Unlike many other snakes that flee from threats, puff adders are ambush predators and prefer to stand their ground, striking with alarming speed when provoked. Even an experienced lioness knows better than to get too close.
The lionesses herded the cubs away from the snake, guiding them towards where they would be safer.
As they moved off, the cubs glanced back frequently, still playing among themselves. The lesson was possibly not yet fully understood. The puff adder remained behind, slowly disappearing once again into the grass off the side of the road.
For the cubs, the encounter was an early brush with one of the many dangers of the wild. For the adult lionesses, it was a reminder that every day in the bushveld requires vigilance, even during moments of play.