females without cubs help with aby sitting?
During their first few weeks of life the cubs are suckled exclusively by the mother, who remains fiercely protective but will leave them for periods while she goes above ground to forage. Once the cubs are old enough to venture out, although not yet weaned, they will begin to interact with other members of the social group. Two important factors in this socialisation are play and mutual grooming, during which the group members will come to recognise each other principally by scent. Unweaned orphaned cubs will die of starvation if not rescued and reared by hand. If old enough they may venture above ground to seek their mothers, and are thus more easily rescued.
