Is the MGM lion yawning and not roaring?

That's a fun observation! While it's not a yawn in the typical sense, the MGM lion's mouth is indeed open in a way that resembles a yawn.

The reason for this is that the lion's pose is based on a snarling, threatening gesture. The open mouth and bared teeth are intended to intimidate, not show drowsiness.

However, the lion's posture and facial expression can be interpreted differently, leading to the perception of a yawn. It's a good example of how the same visual can evoke multiple interpretations depending on the viewer's perspective.