Hybrid animals are fascinating creatures that are born from the mixing of two different species. In this reference, you will explore plenty of examples of hybrid animals. You can expand your vocabulary by learning the names and characteristics of these creatures.
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Hybrid Animals Names
Hybrids are animals that are produced by two completely different species breeding together, which produces the hybrid offspring. A hybrid animal is also infertile in most cases which means that they cannot reproduce and therefore they are unable to create a completely new species.
It should be noted that they are completely different from a “cross-bred” or “mongrel” animal, such as you would find in dogs, for example, which is when two different breeds of the same animal produce offspring.
Not all species are able to create living hybrid offspring and many are born weak and die young. However, species that are fairly similar – such as donkeys, horses, and zebras, or lions, tigers, and leopards – do generally provide healthy hybrids. Of those that are born healthy, the hybrids usually have a mix of their parent’s looks and characteristics.
- Mule – male donkey x female horse
- Liger – male lion x female tiger
- Tigon – male tiger x female lion
- Wholphin – false killer whale x dolphin
- Leopon – male leopard x female lion
- Beefalo – buffalo x cow
- Grolar Bear – grizzly bear x polar bear
- Jaglion – jaguar x lion
- Zebroid – zebra x horse
- Cama – camel x llama
- Coywolf – coyote x wolf
- Zonkey – zebra x donkey
Hybrid Animals with Facts & Pictures
Although they may appear to be the same cross of species, the hybrid name is dependant on which species is the mother and which is the father because the characteristics of the hybrid are usually determined more by the species which was the mother – hence Ligers and Tigons.
Ligers
- Ligers (lion x tiger) are much bigger than either of their parents.
- It is almost impossible to find Ligers in the wild as lions and tigers don’t live in the same areas.
- Ligers like to swim, a trait inherited from their tiger mother.
Tigons
- Tigons (tiger x lion) are much smaller than either of their parents.
- Unlike ligers, which are a cross between a male lion and a female tiger, tigons are relatively rare because male tigers and female lions have different mating habits and mating seasons.
- Tigons are not found in the wild, as lions and tigers live in different parts of the world and would not normally come into contact with each other.
Wholphins
- Wholphins (false killer whale x dolphin) have 66 teeth, which is the exact average of the dolphin’s 88 teeth and false killer whale’s 88 teeth.
- Wholphins grow much faster than their parents and by the time they are a few months old they are the size of a one year old dolphin.
- Wholphins have been observed in the wild, but they are more commonly found in captivity, where they are bred in controlled environments.
Leopons
- Leopons (leopard x lion) are about the same size as a lion but have shorter legs like the leopard.
- Leopons are relatively rare, as leopards and lions live in different parts of the world and would not normally come into contact with each other.
- There are concerns about the welfare of leopons in captivity, as they may suffer from health problems due to their hybrid status and the stress of living in an artificial environment.
Camas
- Camas (camel x llama) do not have humps and have fur very similar to that of the llama.
- Camas bulbs are high in carbohydrates and were often mixed with other foods, such as salmon or berries, to create a nutritious and filling meal.
- Camas plants are also popular in ornamental gardens for their attractive flowers and foliage.
Mule
- A mule (horse x donkey) has the size of a horse and the sure-footedness and endurance of a donkey.
- Mules are not as stubborn as donkeys.
- Mules have a reputation for being stubborn, but this is actually due to their intelligence and independent nature, which can make them more resistant to training than horses.
Zebroids
- Zebroids (zebra x horse) usually have the appearance of a horse but with faded zebra stripes which gives them a striking appearance.
- Zebroids are bred for their unique appearance and are often kept as exotic pets or for display in zoos and wildlife parks.
- There are concerns about the welfare of zebroids, as they may suffer from health problems due to their hybrid status and the stress of living in an artificial environment.
Grolar bears
- Grolar bears (grizzly x polar bear) are much poorer swimmers than polar bears which makes them ill-suited to living in the polar bear’s habitat.
- Grolar bears are usually fertile, which means they can reproduce and have offspring.
- Grolar bears are a relatively new hybrid, and they are believed to be a result of climate change, which is causing the ranges of grizzly bears and polar bears to overlap more frequently.
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