Pride Parents

This passage explains how lions reproduce and care for their young. Mating occurs when a lioness shows readiness through affectionate behavior toward a male. After a gestation period of about 110 days, a lioness gives birth to two to four cubs that are born blind and helpless. Lionesses nurse and protect their cubs, while other females in the pride help care for them. Male lions defend the pride from outside threats but do not directly raise the cubs. Cubs learn survival skills like stalking and pouncing by watching adults, preparing them to hunt independently by age two.

Students strengthen comprehension through sequencing and cause-effect analysis while learning biological vocabulary. The passage reinforces understanding of family and social behavior in animals, promoting empathy and critical thinking. It also models well-organized expository writing for nonfiction comprehension and structure practice.