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| Sheep/Goat Hybrid |
When most people today hear of a "hybrid," they usually think of an automobile -- part gasoline, part electric. However, there are hybrids in nature -- some natural, some not-so-natural -- that would be just as interesting, even though they do not get good gas mileage. Animal hybrids are obtained by intermixing different species to create a separate species. It sounds a bit sci-fi, I know, but sometimes scientists have nothing better to do, so they try to see what happens. Other times, animals in the wild move outside their own circle of Capulets to see what the Montagues are doing (metaphorical Shakespearean reference; look it up). If the two strangers are able to mate and give birth before a double suicide occurs, a hybrid might be the result.
Mule/Hinny
The most well known hybrid is a Mule (63 chromosomes), the result of a male Donkey (62) and a female Horse (64). As with all hybrids of all types, the males are infertile; however, some female Mules are fertile (the rare fertile females, which can mate with male horses or donkeys, are called Molly Mules).
Another Horse/Donkey hybrid (male Horse & female Donkey) is the less well known Hinny (63). A Hinny is generally smaller than a Mule, and is infertile. I will not speculate on the wisdom of combining a Hinny with an Ass. Also, it is not known if someone can be "stubborn as a Hinny."
Interestingly, the names of these particular hybrids are not created by combing parts of the names from the original species. I suppose no animal wants to be called a Honkey.
Zebroids
Another equine that is similar to horses and donkeys is a Zebra (32, 46, or 60 chromosomes, based on which of the three species). Mixing a Zebra with other equines creates such hybrids as a Zorse (/female Horse), Horbra (/male Horse), Zebonkey (/female Donkey), and Donbra (/male donkey). Most, if not all, of these hybrids are infertile.
Here's an unrelated, yet very interesting, bonus fact regarding Zebras: They are actually black animals with white stripes, not white animals with black stripes.
Felines
Ok, let's get away from equines, and let's look at their predators, felines. The largest of the cats are lions and tigers, so wouldn't it be cool to mix them up? They both have 38 chromosomes, so it should be easy. It turns out that the resulting hybrid from a male Lion and female Tiger is a Liger, and it also has 38 chromosomes. A Liger is also the largest feline in the world (see photo above). Male Tigers & female lions produce Tigons, but they are smaller than Ligers. Crossing a male Leopard and female Lion produces a Leopon.
Others
Let's face it: With the right equipment and the requisite mad scientist, one can combine all sorts of animals. For success, both animals generally need to be genetically close, at least within the same genus. However, Sheep (54 chromosomes) and Goats (60) have been combined (the hybrid had 57), even though each belongs to a different genus. Cattle and Bison (both with 60) have been combined (Beefalo), Camels and Lamas have been combined (Cama), as have various birds, fish, and even plants.
Human Hybrids
I know you really want to know if anyone has created a Batman or Spiderman (or a Hubat or Humider). Humans (homo sapiens) have 46 chromosomes. The first question might be: What other species have the same number of chromosomes as humans? Actually, there are a few, including three types of deer/antelope, six types of rodents (of course), a shrew, a hare, a bat, and even one of the zebra species (which you should have already known, if you were paying attention). Finally, there is one species of lemur and the Red Titi monkey. As far as I know, there have not been any hybrids created with these animals, although I am certain that some scientists can't keep their hands off the Red Titis.
Apes have 48 chromosomes, and they are the animals most similar to humans on a genetic level. So, you want to know about Chumans or Humanzees, right? Well, there were some experiments in the 1920's sponsored by the Soviet Union (who else?) that tried to combine Humans and Chimpanzees via artificial insemination (apparently wooing the chimps with compliments, dinner, and fine wine only led to an awkward feces-throwing incident). These experiments reportedly did not result in any pregnancies. There is an unusual Chimpanzee named Oliver (see photo below) that some people have claimed is a human hybrid -- he has a human-like face and walks upright -- but genetic tests have not confirmed that.
There have been experiments in which Human DNA has been combined with DNA from other creatures, but this has generally not been done to create another species, but rather to insert a particular gene or trait into the host species -- which remains that same species.
So, if you have plans to create a super race of pets (Dats and Cogs) that will purr and bring you your slippers, you'll need a better idea. Besides, who wears slippers anymore?
Mule/Hinny
The most well known hybrid is a Mule (63 chromosomes), the result of a male Donkey (62) and a female Horse (64). As with all hybrids of all types, the males are infertile; however, some female Mules are fertile (the rare fertile females, which can mate with male horses or donkeys, are called Molly Mules).
Another Horse/Donkey hybrid (male Horse & female Donkey) is the less well known Hinny (63). A Hinny is generally smaller than a Mule, and is infertile. I will not speculate on the wisdom of combining a Hinny with an Ass. Also, it is not known if someone can be "stubborn as a Hinny."
Interestingly, the names of these particular hybrids are not created by combing parts of the names from the original species. I suppose no animal wants to be called a Honkey.
Zebroids
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| Zorse |
Here's an unrelated, yet very interesting, bonus fact regarding Zebras: They are actually black animals with white stripes, not white animals with black stripes.
Felines
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| Liger |
Others
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| Cama |
Human Hybrids
I know you really want to know if anyone has created a Batman or Spiderman (or a Hubat or Humider). Humans (homo sapiens) have 46 chromosomes. The first question might be: What other species have the same number of chromosomes as humans? Actually, there are a few, including three types of deer/antelope, six types of rodents (of course), a shrew, a hare, a bat, and even one of the zebra species (which you should have already known, if you were paying attention). Finally, there is one species of lemur and the Red Titi monkey. As far as I know, there have not been any hybrids created with these animals, although I am certain that some scientists can't keep their hands off the Red Titis.
Apes have 48 chromosomes, and they are the animals most similar to humans on a genetic level. So, you want to know about Chumans or Humanzees, right? Well, there were some experiments in the 1920's sponsored by the Soviet Union (who else?) that tried to combine Humans and Chimpanzees via artificial insemination (apparently wooing the chimps with compliments, dinner, and fine wine only led to an awkward feces-throwing incident). These experiments reportedly did not result in any pregnancies. There is an unusual Chimpanzee named Oliver (see photo below) that some people have claimed is a human hybrid -- he has a human-like face and walks upright -- but genetic tests have not confirmed that.
There have been experiments in which Human DNA has been combined with DNA from other creatures, but this has generally not been done to create another species, but rather to insert a particular gene or trait into the host species -- which remains that same species.
So, if you have plans to create a super race of pets (Dats and Cogs) that will purr and bring you your slippers, you'll need a better idea. Besides, who wears slippers anymore?
Humanzee?!Yikes Is this for real??
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