Exceptions: Hybrid animals

Exceptions: Hybrid animals

Although breeding barriers (5) normally prevent different species from interbreeding

with each other in the wild…

Sometimes species interbreed when they are in captivity, or when they have pushed out of

their home ranges. Human are almost always involved somehow when species

interbreed. Interbred species are not kosher

Breeding Barriers

Chromosomes need to pair off evenly

+ different habitat

lion

tigerliger

If these ferocious felines met in the wild, a raucous brawl, not romance would break out. But with little choice in captivity (like being in the same wide cage in an open zoo) the odd coupling may occur.

orca whale

dolphin wholphin

Hybrids are usually infertile. Besides infertility, blindness, faulty hearts and brief life spans are routine disorders among hybrids.

The wholphin offspring dies at age 5. The average life span of its parents is 40-50 years.

timber wolf

coyote coywolf

Wolves and coyotes can be driven to interbreeding by loss of habitat (clearing forests).

zebra

horse

zorse

Zorses are deliberately interbred by humans. They inherit the strength and speed of the wild zebra, and the intelligence of the domesticated horse.

muledonkey

horse

Mules are also deliberately interbred by humans for greater strength and endurance.

cow

buffalobeefalo

Beefalo are also deliberately interbred by humans for food.

camellama

cama