King-size kitten

Spot one cute, speckly lion cub like this one, and chances are there are more to be found. Lionesses usually have two to four cubs at a time, often banding together with other moms to form even larger groups called crèches. The crèche structure not only helps socialize cubs of the same age (they start at six weeks old and 'graduate' after about two years) but keeps them all in a safe place under watchful adult eyes. Think of it as day care for little lions.