Adorable Video Captures a Baby Lion Practicing Its Tiny Roar
It's safe to say that most of us love watching cute baby animal videos, and I'm willing to bet you will fall in love with this one! Wildlife Rescuers shared a video on Monday, January 29th of an adorable baby lion practicing using his voice, and it is the cutest thing you'll see all day!
The video is only about 6 seconds long and shows a fluffy lion cub sitting directly in front of the camera and staring into it. The cub starts to make a sound that sounds oddly similar to a tiny roar.... make sure your sound is on so you don't miss it!
Is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen? I wish there was more video of the cub practicing and using his tiny voice! I could watch him all day! One video commenter pointed out, "Guys, he just can’t wait to be king!"
Related: Video of Lion Cub Riding in a Bentley in Thailand Goes Viral
Interesting Facts About Lion Cubs
@Wildlife Rescuers explain in their caption that lion cubs are highly vocal from a very early age. They use these sounds to communicate with their moms and their siblings. They use noises, growls, mews, and purrs. What this cub is doing is practicing making some of those communication sounds. They go on to say that these sounds and vocalizations that they’re learning are “essential communication tools” that they will use as they grow and “navigate the complex structure of the lion pride” ...much like how our babies and toddlers learn to talk and communicate with us!
Not only do the cubs vocalize at a young age, but they also develop quickly in other ways as well. Like housecats, they are born with blue eyes that will change to the brownish-gold color they'll have as adults over time. They start walking and exploring their world right around 10 days old. They are totally dependent on mom, and for the first couple of months of their lives, their mom will keep them hidden from other lions and also protect and feed them as they learn and grow.
They also explain that baby lions are really noisy when it’s play time. They love to have “battles” with their siblings which is good practice for the fighting they’ll do as adults. And on that note, lion cubs have it tough. The fight for food as they grow is a fierce competition, and they cannot hunt on their own until they are 2 years old.
It's estimated that 80% of cubs in the wild don't even make it to their second birthday. Male lions that become the alpha of a pride are known to kill lion cubs in the pride that are less than 2 years old (maybe because cubs don't contribute to the hunt?) and only about 1 in 8 cubs survives those first two years. Those aren't very good odds!
I'm hoping that Wildlife Rescuers will share more videos of cubs learning to use their voices...it totally made my day!
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