Can you tell the age of a lion by the size of its mane?

No, you cannot determine the age of a lion solely by the size of its mane. While it is true that male lions grow manes as they mature, the size and appearance of the mane are affected by a number of factors, including genetics, nutrition, and hormone levels.

Generally speaking, male lions start to grow manes when they are about 1 year old, and the mane continues to grow and develop until the lion is about 5 years old. However, the size and appearance of the mane can vary widely depending on the individual lion. In some cases, younger lions may have larger and fuller manes than older lions.

Therefore, while the size and appearance of a lion's mane can give some clues about its age and health, it cannot be used as a definitive indicator of age.