When this lioness returned to her cubs after a hunting expedition, she received an adorably cute welcome. However, as the footage shows, they were after more than just her affection.
Nicole Jacobs of Rockfig Safari Lodge sent this footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa.
Watch the video now:
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Mischievous cubs
At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much going on in Nicole’s video. However, on closer inspection, we notice several mischievous faces peeking out from the dense, riverside vegetation.
Moments later, their identity is revealed when a litter of seven lion cubs comes tumbling down the embankment.
It is safe to assume that the cubs had been hiding in their mother’s absence. At this age, they’re too small to fend for themselves.
Emerging from the den
Subsequently, the excited cubs scamper across the dry riverbed. Judging by their size, they appear to be less than three months old.
Lionesses give birth at a hidden den site. She keeps her cubs hidden for up to six weeks before introducing them to the rest of their pride.
Momma’s back
Moments later, the reason for the cubs’ excited behaviour is revealed. Waiting for them on the riverbed, their mother receives a warm welcome from her large family.
Even though her cubs are vulnerable, the lioness must eat. Accordingly, she leaves them periodically to go hunt, either alone or with her pride.
Subsequently, the lioness leads the cubs back across the riverbed to the lush grass on the embankment. She knows just what they’re looking forward to.
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Mother’s milk
No sooner does she lie down than her cubs jostle for a feeding position. Like all baby mammals, their diet for the first few months of life consists entirely of milk.
Young lions will gradually transition to a meat diet from about three months of age. But for now, they’re happy to slurp away at Momma’s milk.
Lion milk is extremely rich and nutrient-dense, packed with protein and fats to aid rapid growth. Accordingly, the cubs soon have full tummies.
Curious cubs
Consequently, it isn’t long before they start thinking of other things besides food. Like all youngsters, they are extremely curious about the world around them.
For some of the cubs, they’re happy to learn through observation, quietly watching the world around them.
Meanwhile, for others, it means finding an interesting object and finding out what happens when they chew it.
For others, however, learning means exploring. It there’s a tree, they must climb it. If it moves, they must chase it.
Whatever the activity, their young minds are absorbing a lot of valuable information. With this and Momma’s care, they’ll grow to play a vital role in the ecosystem they call home.