Lioness Pregnancy lasts for around 110 to 120 days.
Eventually, when it is time to give birth, lionesses leave their family pride to find a private den in the shelter of bushes, or even a cave.
This is where the cubs will be born and stay until they are old enough to join the pride.
They have their eyes closed and don’t open them until they are two to three weeks old. Even then, they can’t see properly for another week or so, so need lots of care and attention from Mum.
As they are unable to defend themselves, cubs are vulnerable to attack from large birds and snakes and even male lions.
Lionesses usually have around three cubs, but can have as many as six, so they are kept very busy making sure they are all safe.
A lioness will keep her cubs hidden from other for around six weeks until they are old enough to follow the pride. Any younger and they wouldn’t be able to keep up and could get lost.
If there are older cubs already in the pride, the mother must wait until her young are around three months old before introducing them.The use body language for communication, young cubs will closely follow their mum observing their mum's body language.
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