Despite their fearsome reputation, lions are often extremely affectionate with their own kind. These moments of tenderness are vital for cohesion within the pride.
Malvina Bartmanski submitted this cute footage to Latest Sightings. She recorded the tender moments while visiting Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
Watch the video now:
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Hi Mom!
As we join Malvina on the grasslands of central Botswana, we see a lioness approaching her cub.
As she gets closer, the cub rises to greet her. Among lions, this is typically done by rubbing their heads together.
Lions are the world’s only social wild cats. They live in groups known as prides, consisting of up to 50 related females and their offspring.
Is this place taken?
With the “formalities” over, the lioness decides to spend a little quality time with the youngster. After all, the bonds they forge in quiet moments like this are vital in creating the cohesion they will need when hunting together.
However, instead of creating a little space between them, she decides to use the cub as a mattress.
Consequently, she flops down right on top of the startled cub. Thankfully, the cub is big enough to absorb her weight without injury.
Excuse you!
Even so, the cub is not too happy lying on its back under the adult. After all, lionesses average 150 kilograms in weight.
As a result, it immediately starts wriggling to free itself. First of all, it manages to roll onto its belly, snarling in protest.
However, when Mum still doesn’t get the message, the little one shows surprising strength by all but lifting her up.
Then, finally, she manages to escape her mother’s excessive affections and moves off to rest elsewhere.
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Sibling rivalry
As she does, one of her siblings approaches. And, once again, she rubs heads in greeting. Frequent tactile contact is just one of the ways that lions cement bonds that may last their entire lives.
Eager to resume her rest, she then lies down at the feet of her sibling. Hopefully, now, she can get a little rest without having the life squashed out of her.
However, as she does, her sibling playfully pins her down, inviting her to play.
By now, the poor cub has just about had enough of her family’s apparent inability to respect her personal space.
Accordingly, she pushes the other cub and rolls away. Subsequently, the sibling seems to get the message.
Then, as if to make amends for irritating its sister, the cub starts grooming her. As the video ends, the cub is finally rewarded with some appropriate affection.
Cuddling cats
As mentioned, physical contact is a vital behaviour in lion prides. Head rubs, grooming, and cuddles release oxytocin, which reduces stress, reinforces trust, and aligns the pride’s scent profile.