An exhausted, hard-working lioness is trying to get some much-deserved rest, while the cubs continuously pester her for attention and milk. How long will mom’s patience last…
Captured in Mala Mala Game Reserve, located within Sabi Sand in Mpumalanga, the largest and oldest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa. Guide Mike Kirkman shared this endearing and hilarious footage with LatestSightings.com.
A relentless, but undeniably adorable, cub will not let its mom rest. After quite literally using its mom as a doormat by climbing straight over her body, it proceeds to nuzzle its face into hers demanding attention.
Lion cubs only drink milk for the first 10 weeks. If there are more than one litter in a pride, the lionesses will often rear their cubs together. Lion cubs have been seen suckling from any of the females who are lactating. While this poor lioness’ face gets tormented, the other cubs continue to suckle for milk.
Another lioness decides to give her companion some reprieve by licking, grooming, and biting ticks off her face. Unfortunately for them both, the moment of calm tenderness does not last long… not with needy little cubs running around. With much gusto, the neediest cub of all tries to get in between both females and receive some grooming for itself. Lion cubs spend up to 20 hours of the day sleeping or resting. Lions are the laziest of the big cats. They can be found lying on their backs with their feet up or taking a snooze in the shade. While lazing around, they are very affectionate towards one another, rubbing heads, grooming, and purring.
Very quickly, the rest of the cubs see this and realize they are not receiving any of the affection. The two mothers become overwhelmed with cubs, officially ending their downtime. These lionesses will continue to look after their cubs until they are between two and three years old.
The greedy cubs frantically climb all over her and suckle at her teats. As a member of the apex predators in Africa, this mother can only endure being treated like a jungle gym for so long. With high levels of frustration, she snarls and gets up to try rid herself of the frustrating offspring.
Much to the tiny cub’s dismay, it mews and walks between its mother’s legs, tripping her and getting in her way. Never for one moment giving her a break to relax in peace.
After lying back down, the cubs follow her and hungrily continue to feed from her. The lioness’s patience has dwindled entirely, with a sharp snap to the one cub, she gets up again and moves off. The cubs cry at the heartbreak. It is not believed for one moment that they will give up and stop irritating her.
