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A lioness playing with cubs has her paws full: one rolls around while one gets a kiss. Download the free PDF of this fun page for your little ones.
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Download PDFPrintA lioness lying down and licking a happy cub, a second cub on its back with its paws up, and tufts of grass around them.
Color the paw pads pink for a cute finishing touch.
Act out how cubs play and share which game you like best.
Lion cubs get their first taste of meat at around three months old.
A lioness playing with cubs is doing a lot more than having fun. For baby lions, play is like going to school. Every race, leap and little nibble teaches them something they will need when they grow up.
Cubs practice hunting without even knowing it. They hide, tiptoe closer and pounce on a brother or sister who isn't paying attention. They also chase the tip of their mother's tail, which wiggles like a small animal. All of that makes their aim better and teaches them how to use their paws.
Wrestling is another favorite. Cubs tumble around, roll onto their backs and swat each other gently. They don't want to hurt anyone, so they keep their claws in and bite softly. If one bites too hard, the other one cries out or walks off, and the game is over. That's how they figure out how rough is too rough.
Mom has a lot of patience, but she'll stop them if they go too far. Cubs grow fast, and soon they begin to tag along behind the lionesses and watch them hunt. When the time comes, all that practice will pay off.
