A lioness usually has her first litter of
cubs when she is three to four years old, producing a new litter of two
to four cubs once every two years if the cubs survive. If a lioness' cubs
die, she comes into estrus within as little as four weeks. However, if the cubs have been killed by nomadic males,
it usually takes three months for the lioness to conceive, thus allowing
time for the strongest coalition of males to assume control of the pride
territory before she becomes pregnant. All of the members of the cat family
are thought to be induced ovulators, with copulation helping to stimulate
ovulation; a mating pair may copulate two to three times an hour for several
days (usually two to six days). A lioness gives birth to her cubs in a
place of concealment such as a thicket or rocky outcrop, where the cubs
remain hidden for the first six to eight weeks. Cubs weigh 2.5 to 4.5 lb
(1 to 2 kg) at birth, and their eyes open towards the end of the second
week. Females with young cubs allow them to suckle communally; by doing
so each lioness is promoting her own genetic interests by helping to raise
her relatives off-spring. Cubs first eat meat at six weeks old and are
weaned at six to eight months. They are reasonably competent hunters at
two years old, but still rely on the pride for their survival, and continue
to grow until they are at least four or five years old.