How long is a lioness pregnant

Jan 10, Lions. Female lions, lionesses, are able to give birth to cubs all year round, usually from the age of about three or four years old. Pregnancy lasts for around to 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. When they are first born, cubs are very small. 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 lions for around six weeks until they are old enough to follow the pride. If there are older cubs already in the pride, the mother must wait until her young are around three months old before introducing them.

Older cubs often bully the smaller cubs and steal their milk, so they need to be big enough to stand up for themselves. Lionesses in a pride often have cubs around the same time as each other. This helps to keep them safe from predators — meat-eating animals, such as other lions and tigers — and also large animals such as elephant and buffalo.

Lionesses can also control when they have cubs. If there is not enough food around to feed a hungry mouth, a lioness will wait until there is before giving birth. It is good for them and helps them to grow quickly. At around two to three months, they begin to eat meat as well with their small milk teeth. Like humans, lions are born without teeth.

They grow small ones when still very young, which are then replaced with adult teeth as they get older. At six to seven months old, cubs stop drinking milk altogether. Cubs are full of life. She gives birth to a litter of cubs, usually two to four, and protects them in the early stages of their lives. Like kittens, lion cubs come into the world with their eyes closed and are helpless at birth.

Lions live in groups called prides. Living in a group gives them opportunities to mate and raise their young in greater safety than if lions roamed alone or in couples. Although a lioness goes off to a den away from the group to give birth, the females of a pride generally have their cubs at about the same time and raise them together, even nursing each other's offspring.

Only one out of eight cubs will live to become an adult, Jim Thompson reports in his book, "Lions. A lioness generally gives birth every two years. Where is Eliza? Reserve Now Close. Make A Reservation Ready to reserve your safari? Fill out the form below, and we will call you to confirm your reservation, answer your questions and personalize your stay with us for an unforgettable safari experience.

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