African Lion Cubs with Mother Keychain

This image shows African lion cubs accompanied by their mother. Females raise the cubs and are the primary hunters. Females usually give birth to one to four cubs after a gestation of about 3 1/2 months. Cubs typically nurse for six months but start eating meat at three months. Due to dangers, including starvation and attacks by male lions taking over prides, up to 80 percent of lion cubs die within their first 2 years of life. | "Smithsonian" and the Smithsonian logo are registered trademarks o