They live, hunt, and give birth together. This close bond, which may last a lifetime, provides the foundation of the lion family unit and ensures its survival. Each pride has one or more fully grown male lions patrolling and scent-marking the pride s territory. Although the males dominate the pride, it is the females that exercise leadership. The lionesses are the ones that usually initiate activity, such as moving to a shaded area or starting a hunt.
Lionesses normally give birth every two years.
Young lions are born totally helpless. Rearing cubs is a community project, and all the females will protect and nurse the young within the pride. Tumbling among themselves like kittens, they wrestle, pounce on their playmates, and jump about in the tall grass. They are fascinated by anything that moves and will leap at butterflies, chase insects, and wrestle with sticks and vines. Most irresistible is the movement of their mother s tail, which she deliberately flicks about, inviting them to play.