Mane attraction: A lion cub, aged around seven weeks, looks for a role model in an adult male. These beasts live in prides of between three and 30 lions

Branching out: Lion cubs are very affectionate and playful from around the age of four weeks

Pick-me-up: Mothers carry their offspring about in their mouths

Look of love: An adult male and cub on the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya. They grow from 3lb at birth to as much as 450lb

Circle of life: Lions spend up to 21 hours a day resting with the other animals in their pride

Tall tails: When they're not hunting, mothers enjoy playing with their cubs

Young lions first attempt to hunt at around three months of age