Why do they consider "sub-adult-male" lion rather than just a female lion? People wouldn't be familiar with it due to the lack of mane, but it would certainly

Why do they consider "sub-adult-male" lion rather than just a female lion? People wouldn't be familiar with it due to the lack of mane, but it would certainly be able to pray, and would match the claws and other characteristics, tho not the stripes.