Hybrid Animals

 A Hybrid is a mating of two different species  Mutants are natural variations that occur due to spontaneous genetic changes or the expression of recessive (hidden) genes due to inbreeding. White tigers and black leopards are examples of mutations.

 Examples  The liger is a hybrid animal that is the result of crossbreeding between a male lion and a female tiger. Ligers are the largest breed of cat. Similar to a liger, a tigon is a result of crossbreeding a male tiger and a female lion. A wolf dog is a more common hybrid animal. It is the result of a dog and a wolf mating. A zorse is a hybrid resulting from a cross between a horse and a zebra, while a zonkey is the offspring of a donkey and a zebra. A cama is a hybrid animal resulting from the crossbreeding of a llama and a camel. A cama must be created using artificial insemination because camels are too large to naturally mate with the smaller llama.  Reproduction  Significant differences in the chromosome numbers of parent animals used to produce hybrid animals can often result in the hybrid being infertile. Often, the female hybrid animal can become pregnant, though not easily, while the male hybrid is completely sterile. Liger and tigon males are both sterile hybrids; female tigons and ligers are usually fertile. The mule, which is a result of crossbreeding between a female horse and a male donkey, is also sterile.

 The reason for hybrid sterility is still in the analysis stage, but some facts have been noted on the subject. It appears that sterility is caused from the X chromosome. This sterility affects the male in most species who have the inability to form functional gametes. This is caused due to a disturbance when the sex cell is developing. Hybrid sterility is found in both animal and plant life.facts