The mating behaviour of lions is a painful process for the female. The penis is barbed and its withdrawal hurts the female who may twist around and attack the dismounting male. The pain is thought necessary for feline mating as it is the shock to her system that induces ovulation and permits fertilisation. Lionesses have a gestation period of three -and-a-half months (about 108 days). Lions live up to about 18 years old in the wild. Book now for a 8 Day Honeymoon Tanzania Private Luxury High End

close-up of a pair of lions mating