8. Zebroid (Zebra + Any Other Equine)
What do you call a creature that looks like a horse, is partially striped, and has a zebra’s bad temper? The answer is a Zebroid of course, and this brilliant breed is created whenever a Zebra mates with any member of the equine family. The most common Zebroid hybrids occur when a male Zebra mates with a horse or donkey mare, and a zebra and a donkey blend is incredibly unusual. One of the most unique things about Zebroids is the sheer variety of their coats, combined with their partially striped colouration. As they take their coat and colour from their horse parent this can range greatly, although of course their stripey parts can only come from their zebra mum or dad!
As zebras differ genetically from donkeys and horses, Zebroids are typically thought to be infertile. Zebras have between 32 -46 chromosomes, while horses have 64 and donkeys 62. Zebroid babies fall somewhere in the middle, carrying around 54 chromosomes max – more than a zebra, but less than a donkey or horse. Zebroids were originally created in Africa, as farmers wanted a breed that would be more resistant to the plague of tsetse flies that carry fatal diseases, like Nagana. Zebras are immune to these diseases, and by pairing them with a horse or donkey mate, farmers were able to produce a creature that could perform the work horses do, without risk.
We think they are awesome just for existing though, so we’re just glad these amazing animals are still being bred. If you’re thinking about riding one, you’ll be pleased to know it’s a much easier feat than attempting to saddle up on a Zebra, as a Zebroid’s horse shaped body makes it far easier to stay on. However, they do have the zebra’s infamous temper, and can become angry, so you’ll probably want to consider this before mounting one.
