Most mothers have to step in when things get a bit too competitive and boisterous between father and sons, but it seems that it’s not exclusive to humans.

A lioness has been caught on camera taking a swipe at the father of their cub after a stand off between the pair.

The father hit a raw nerve when he growled fiercely at the two-month-old, causing the lioness to strike a warning blow across his face.

The cub had been sunbathing on the bed of a dried up marsh in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, when he was disturbed by his father.


Squaring up: The lion went over to his cub while it was sunbathing on a dried-up marsh


Back off: The lioness gets her punch in first when the lion moved in on the cub




Ouch: The lion recoils as it is made painfully aware to him just how far the lioness will go to protect her cub
Like Simba practising his roar in the film The Lion King, the cub snarls at his father but was shown who was boss with an even louder reply.

The mother, who had two cubs nearby, padded over to ensure things weren’t getting out of hand and struck the lion across the face.

The event was caught on camera by photographer Elliott Neep who said: ‘It was like he was telling him “Don’t snarl at me”, the mum came over and said “keep it calm” but then slapped the dad with her claws out, leaving a scratch.

‘He retaliated and slapped back but kept his claws in. It was extremely brave of her to stand up to him. At just a couple of months old, the cub still needs the protection of its mother.

‘If she had not been there the dad would have probably whacked the cub so hard it would have knocked him over.’

The 36-year-old, from Wantage, Oxfordshire, added: ‘I have been photographing lions for many years but this was the biggest I have ever seen.

‘Lions normally weigh up 450lbs and I would say this one was at least that – possibly around 500lbs.

‘He didn’t appear to have any battle marks, which is unusual for a pride male. I imagine he is so big nobody else dares fight him.

‘However, I don’t think the cub was in any real danger because it was his cub.

‘The situation ended peacefully with all the family members making up and returning to their sunbathing.’




All made up: After the lioness had the last word, all was calm again with the family

This is too precious

LOL @ the cub (last picture)

Marital wahala.

But they shouldn't have slapped each other infront of the cub. Wrong message.

kandiikane: Marital wahala.

But they shouldn't have slapped each other infront of the cub. Wrong message.

lmao . Look how the cub grew wings after mama slapped papa. (last picture)

Guess it's lion thingz.

Ileke-IdI:


lmao . Look how the cub grew wings after mama slapped papa. (last picture)

Guess it's lion thingz.

Lol, that's what happens nau. Even humans, once the mum defends the kid right in front of him, they get too brave.

This picture series is priceless!

Mother has it all.

Motherhood is a mystery

Dem dey Loook The Lion and Lioness, Dey Snap Photo... Notin Oyinbo no go use karri una head drink Garri

The only thing i could notice and need answers to:

Why are the Lion's ballz so big, lumpy and scary?!

Kandiikane, any answers?

Wow.

yuzedo: The only thing i could notice and need answers to:

Why are the Lion's ballz so big, lumpy and scary?!

Kandiikane, any answers?

couldnt help but notice that too

the cub was so lucky as that was his daddy. watched a documentary the dominant lion went on a killing spree; non of the lioness could do anything as he killed all the cubs that weren't his after chasing out 2 young lions out of the pride.

Rubbish

Priceless....lol .... see this cub dey show off now....chai...this cub go respect hin Papa anymore.... when mama don slap papa in front of u...

Well go touch it and find out.

merciie:

couldnt help but notice that too

Wow! That explains why my wife always tell my children 'wait till your daddy come home.'

She wants to take my title with a knock-out punch when things get nasty

SO?

Ehen ehen

yuzedo: The only thing i could notice and need answers to:

Why are the Lion's ballz so big, lumpy and scary?!

Kandiikane, any answers?

Lol, lions are known to mate close to 50 times a day - for several days. Now talk about being King of the Jungle!

They be '1 minute man' sha .

Them don dey praise the lioness now e dey sweet her when Lion go vex beat her like saidi balogun they beat fathia balogun all news paper go Carry am

Okija_juju: SHOOOOOOOO!! See what we men have to suffer even for Lion!!!





So Papa no fit halla for ehn pikin again!! Even Lioness don follw dey behave like Nigerian girls..


If the Lion vex beat her now, all the other Lioness go start to dey shout Lioness Abuse!! Meanwhile when she been dey slap am for the front of their pikin, nobody talk o!!



Foolish Lioness.. Make dem reach house!! Ehn go knack her better Apkako!!

!!

.....you never disappoint.

@yuzedo

@OP Very interesting. Motherhood.

Isè eyán ni isè eranko

berem: The bigger the balls, the braver you are.

I have ENORMOUS Cojones! I must be a warrior!

yuzedo: The only thing i could notice and need answers to:

Why are the Lion's ballz so big, lumpy and scary?!

Kandiikane, any answers?

Lmaoo and I should know because?

Cute. Na wah! Even papa lion knows not to fight wifey with his claws after she used hers. The cub was obviously disrespectful, but such a little cub to a very big lion. It Would have probably killed it with one blow. The love up picture is too funny!

Ileke idi when would I see the ileke wey dey your yonda now?abi na juju own you put there?

Y are those animals roaring abi shouting as they mate? BTW how did samson tear the lions jaw with this kind scary lion am seeing here?