h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6260000/newsid_6263900/6263928.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm (that's a video, there's no page I can link to, sorry)

This rare little foal (Eclise) is a cross between a horse and a zebra - a male horse/female zebra offspring is called a hebra and a male zebra/female horse offspring is called a zorse. Her German keepers are looking for a zorse for companionship but I wonder if they are able to breed, what would their offspring be? A Brazo?

The newsreaders were cracking jokes about "zebra crossings" and Andrew fell about laughing at the "unfinished" zebra he saw on the TV before departing for school

I wonder if the Zorse or the Hebra would be fertile...aren't mules the offspring of donkeys and horses, and infertile?

Very picturesque creature, though!

It's unlikely that the hebra would be fertile. The traditional view is that since the parents are different species, the offspring can't be fertile, but it isn't actually as simple as that. The boundaries between species are not necessarily as clear-cut as that.

Genetics prevent species from cross breeding, thank goodness. This creature will remain infertile, so what is the point of the exercise. Lions and tigers have been crossed to breed Ligers, all infertile, and as much use as s on a bull. Why do "scientists" persist in this nonsense? The "cute" factor is ludicrous, so anyone who goes "awwww" at the sight of these poor attempts at cross breeding, should ask themselves, "what would they cross-breed me with"?

Not Happy Peeb

I think Eclise was a natural product of two animals getting friendly, but I'd have to listen to the clip again and I don't have time now. I do know the offspring are usually infertile, and they're looking for a companion for Eclise, not a mate, I'm sorry if my comments mislead you.

Mules are very useful animals.

So are donkeys and horses! So why cross breed them when the lineage will not perpetuate? A goldfish is useful to some people, and a parrot to others. Should we then attempt to produce a fish that can fly in the bush, or a parrot which will swim in never ending circles?

Because mules are more useful than either donkeys or horses, to the people that want them. Most cows are bred to produce milk or beef, not to perpetuate the species. Why are mules any different?

Because cows can breed, mules can't! How difficult is that for you to understand? How do you know that mules are more useful than donkeys or horses? Show your proof, not just your own opinion!

Easy, Stephen.

Wilma and Gnomon. But with all the issues with genetically modified crops and messing about with nature, where will it all end? By the way, I strongly support Stem Cell Research, so I am not against all matters scientific.

Much Abject Apologies if I have upset my friends on Hootoo.

Peeb

You're ok, Stephen. It is an emotive issue. I have serious reservations about messing with nature too.

W

Mules are stronger than donkeys or horses, so they are used for transporting heavy loads in many countries.

I don't see the difference between mating a horse and a donkey to produce a mule which won't be able to breed, and mating a bull and a cow to produce a calf which will never be allowed to breed, as is the case with most young bulls.

At least we can have our debates on hootoo without resorting to really bad behaviour..... And it is not necessarily a bad thing to bring up emotive issues. I think we are all sensible enough to discuss things openly.

s and

Peeb

I guess you are correct on that point Gnomon. I mean, I do all of the "donkey" work at my place..... If I were a mule I could get more done in half the time, and that would free up plenty of time...



Peeb

You can also get zonies and zonkies. Are these animals more amiable than their parents or something? Perhaps they have a better temperament.

>>Because cows can't breed, mules can't!>>

Not perfectly true, there have been more than 60 documented cases of foals born to female mules. So while it may be true *most* of the time, that's not always the case.

Male mules, however, can't breed. So the 'father' must be a pure breed horse or donkey.

By the way, the foal's name is Eclyse, and she belongs to the Stukenbrock safari park in Germany:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115142

I apologize for spelling her name incorrectly in post #1

Sorry Stephen, but my first reaction really was, "awww... so cute!" She's a very pretty critter!

I reckon they ought to add in some luminious jellyfist genes and then it would look really coolio and also you could'ent lose it in the dark