Blind at birth, they do not have full sight for two weeks or so. The cubs remain close to the adult females, and enjoy maternal affection and protection during the most vulnerable stage of their early life. Small and infrequent litters make it possible for a lioness to spend a great deal of time with her cubs, even after they have been weaned. Cubs nurse for about six to eight months, and depend upon adults for all of their food until they are about two years old. Weaning begins about three months after birth, when the cubs begin to eat meat.
Young cubs learn by watching the adults, and by playing to perfect their hunting skills.
They are never far from their mother or her female kin until they are about six months old. Then they begin to tag along behind the hunters, learning the elements of hunting and the harsh etiquette of the kill. By the time they are one and a half years old they are hunting with the pride and claiming their share of the fallen prey. Most pride lionesses remain in the pride for life. Inevitably, the males leave, as do some lionesses.