Lions of Sabi Sands

[Mapokser]

Photo by Tori Marie.

Is it just me or the Ximhungwe cubs from the Othawa Breakaway are freaks of nature?

*This image is copyright of its original author

They always strike me as much bigger than their Mangheni half-brother ( cub #10 ) despite the fact he is a few weeks older. They might even rival some of the other Mangheni cubs.

Of course, cub #10 is always around his much older siblings which makes him look small, but also compared to the lionesses, the Ximungwe cubs always seems way bigger in comparison. I don't remember even the Nkuhuma Breakaways looking so big at 1yo ( or not even that, IIRC the Ximungwes will turn 1 next month ).

Mantimahle + Matimba blood is producing some big cubs and subadults.

Edit: and I almost forgot, but although from time to time I can see some resemblance between the cubs and the PCM, as well as them and their Mangheni half-brothers, they look a hella lot like their mother, sometimes looking like clones. If they had a brother I wonder if he'd grow to look like the Ginger Matimba that resembles the Othawa female so much. Reply