We've all heard of mythical bizarre hybrids, but did you know that hybrids exist in real life and that they're just as impressive? If you don't believe us. You can take a look at what we're preparing for today. See how spectacular the biological processes of "somatic hybridization" that occur in those similar animal species are.
This time, Brother Chu brought some of the 13 amazing hybrid animals that really exist in this world.
This unique creature is actually the offspring of zebras, horses or donkeys. They first appeared in the 19th century, when they were bred by Charles Darwin through somatic cell hybridization. They exist to this day, but their numbers are small because of the fact that they exist infertility.
By name, I believe you can guess some too. It is a rare hybrid between male killer whales and female bottlenose dolphins. These creatures are reportedly present in the wild because they can reproduce naturally, and only one of them is now kept in captivity in Hawaii's Marine Life Park. It was born in May 1985 and was re-produced in 2004 with 3 baby dolphins.
The Pifflew cattle, also known as the American hybrid cattle, are actually the fertile offspring of successful American buffalo and domestic cattle. It was created by science in order to produce the industry, combining these two species of beef. The first accidental hybridization of these two species occurred about 1800 years ago, and then was artificially intentionally hybridized in the 19th century.
The lion tiger is one of the most famous hybrids. It is a hybrid between male lions and female tigers. They have a beautiful pattern of white stripes on their fur, which gradually disappear into different spots. Lions weigh about 400 kilograms, the largest hybrid of cats. But it only exists in captivity, so the environments of parent species do not overlap.
Just like lions and tigers, tigers and lions are also similar in hybridization. Both hybrids have the same parents from different sexes. The tiger lion is a hybrid of female lion and male tiger. Tiger lions can only survive in captivity and are considered sterile. Surprisingly, in 1943, at the Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, a female tiger was able to mate with a male lion, and their cubs were successfully raised to adulthood.
The leopard lion looks like a creature from a mythological story, a very rare hybrid between lions and male leopards. Its head resembles that of a lion, while its body is almost like that of a leopard. In 1910, the first leopard lion was bred in captivity in India, but unfortunately it did not survive long, and now there are only 100 leopard lions left in the world, and they are all in captivity because they were born through somatic hybridization technology.
These cute furry animals, like large stuffed animals, are descendants of grizzly and polar bears. Although they are a rare bear hybrid, they mostly occur in the wild rather than in captivity. Interestingly, even if these species belong to the same region, they avoid each other in the wild.
Mules are one of the most common hybrids in nature because they reproduce through a reciprocal process. They are the offspring of male horses and female donkeys. In addition, they are slightly smaller than horses and have thicker fur. Due to the different number of chromosomes in each species, mules are incapable of reproducing and extremely difficult to obtain.
For all of us dog and cat lovers, the savannah cat is the perfect microcosm. Savannah cats are often likened to possessing the loyalty and intelligence of dogs. In addition, they tend to follow their owners around the house, and they can be trained just like dogs. The savannah cat lives mainly in the wild and is a descendant of domestic cats and African wildcats.
These small animals that look like little furry camels are karma. They are a mixture of male and female camels. Karma cannot reproduce naturally in the wild, so some scientists use artificial insemination to create their first offspring. Interestingly, the reason it first bred in 1998 was to create an animal that produced more hair than camels.
This cute little animal is a rare hybrid between sheep and goats. Although the two species have many similarities, they are actually two different species, and once propagated, their offspring are usually stillborn. Only 2 live offspring were born worldwide, but they were sterile due to a medium number of chromosomes.
Originating in Mongolia and Tibet, dzo is a hybrid between domestic cattle and yaks. Since dzos are a product of the phenomenon of heterosis, they tend to be stronger than their parents, larger, and fertile. In addition, they tend to produce more milk and meat than cattle and yaks.
This particular hybrid is actually a child between a male jaguar and a female lion. When its parents once coexisted in the same zoo and were raised as an inseparable individual, it was inadvertently bred. Jaglion, pictured, now lives with his parents at the Bear Creek Wildlife Refuge in Ontario, Canada.
Do you know any of these bastards? What impressed you the most? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below. If you like our article, remember to pay attention to it.