September 18, 2024
Animal Hybrids
One definition of a hybrid animal is the offspring of two related species. These animals have been common throughout history, initially found in the wild, but also bred by humans for specific purposes. Hybrids can be stronger and bigger than both their parents. They can also, sometimes display a phenomenon called “hybrid vigour”. The mixing of genetics creates a more robust individual. However, there are also barriers to hybridisation. Some species are not closely related enough, sometimes the offspring are infertile, and sometimes they don’t survive at all.
The best known local animal hybrid is probably the mule. This is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Mules are usually infertile, but stronger than donkeys or horses. They were bred as pack animals - for transport before the days of rail and lorry transportation. Large numbers were used by the armies of various nations from antiquities until the mid 20th Century. When you cross a female donkey with a male horse, the offspring is called a Jinny. The Jinny is usually smaller than a mule, and they are rarer.
Another example of hybrids from North America is the beefalo. The beefalo is a cross between a bison and the domestic cow. This cross has occurred with wild bison - indeed many bison herds are not genetically “pure”, but incorporate some domestic cow DNA. However, a concerted effort was made to breed this animal as more resistant to the cold winters experienced in northern states of the USA. Prior to housing in the 20th century, domestic cattle herds were prone to succumb to the extreme continental temperatures. Buffalo had adapted with shaggy coats and were seen as one solution.
The wolf-dog is a hybrid with a chequered history. Domestic dogs and wolves are obviously very similar, and there is a debate as to whether they are the same species. Crosses between the two are likely as old as when the first dog became domesticated. Crosses between wolves and huskies or malamutes have occurred, and their offspring vary in appearance. Wolf-dogs have been controversial in some countries, as questions have been asked as to their level of domestication and suitability for living in human communities. They are banned in some countries.
These are just some of the many hybrids that exist both naturally and in captivity. Others include:
Tigron = Lion X Tiger
Hybrid Camel = Dromedary (1 hump) Camel X Bactrian Camel
Narluga = Beluga Whale X Narwhal
Killer Bees = European Bee X African Bee
Jaglion = Jaguar X Lion
Zonkey = you can probably work this one out yourself!
