mule

mule facts

"A stupid mule is always smarter than a good horse and a bad guy."

What is a mule? The mule is a genetic hybrid that has been the workhorse of human civilization for thousands of years. Stronger than a horse but gentler than a donkey, the mule combines all the best elements of both breeds to become a staple of agricultural pursuits worldwide.

Unbelievable Mule Facts!

• What is a mule? A mule is the offspring of a jackass and a mare.
• Mules were intentionally created animals in ancient times to accentuate the best features of stallions and donkeys.
• Because mules have 63 chromosomes — a mix of 64 from horses and 62 from donkeys — most mules are sterile.
• One of the earliest recorded instances of a mule appeared in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC.
• They compete in all the same equestrian competitions, including dressage, as horses.

scientific name

These animals are members of the equine family in the genus Equus . Their scientific name is Equus mulus , and although the name differs, it applies to both males and females of the species. A mule is a cross between a jackass (called a jack) and a female horse (called a mare). Equus is Latin for horse and mulus is Latin for mule.

evolution

Mules have a long and storied history, playing important roles in civilizations around the world. Horses originated in Central Asia around 3500 BC and extended their range across the world—eventually extending to the range of donkeys, which originated in Africa. Mules are known to have been bred in Mesopotamia as far back as 1000 BC. There is evidence in art and ancient writings that mules were present at a number of important events – they are illustrated in a painting from the tomb of Nebamun at Thebes around 1350 BC. Mules appeared in Israel in the time of King David, and Homer mentions mules in the Iliad of 800 BC. George Washington kept mules at Mount Vernon. Mules pulled wagon trains across the American plains, which could cover 30 miles in a day, compared with only 5 miles for horses. Mules are known the world over for their great strength and docile demeanor.

appearance and behavior

Mules are animals that look exactly like they really are, the genetic cross between a stallion and a donkey. Although usually brown or gray, they can be any hair and color on horses and donkeys. They are bigger and leaner than jacks, and smaller but stronger than ponies. Their heads are shorter and thicker, more like those of a donkey, while their ears are longer than those of a horse, but shorter than those of a donkey.

These animals average between 50 and 70 inches tall and weigh between 600 and 1,500 pounds. Tiny animals weighing as little as 50 pounds have been bred, with the largest recorded male weighing 2,200 pounds. This weight can range from the weight of a medium-sized male pit bull to the combined weight of two grizzlies. The largest and heaviest mule, Apollo, also stands at 19.1 palm height, about 77 inches, which is impressive!

The temperament of these animals is the ideal that breeders try to achieve when combining the qualities of a pony and a jack. In them, you have both the fortitude of a donkey and the comprehensive temperament of both parents. Stallions have a tendency to be flighty or easily frightened, while Jacks have a reputation for being stubborn and difficult to manage. A mule is a slow, patient, and usually even-tempered beast.

Habitat

Mules are found all over the world. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and their breeding makes them well suited to nearly any climate. Their skin is tougher and they are less likely to overheat than stallions, and they require less food than horses, so foraging is easier.

Mules are a species created by humans and as such, they have no natural habitat. They can be found anywhere humans bring them.

diet

In terms of diet, mules are no different from their parents. They eat a variety of grasses and small shrubs. If they don't have a large enough area to forage successfully, usually one to two acres, their diet can be supplemented with hay, grain, or pelleted food.

Another consequence of hybridization of this species is that although they maintain their foal size, they require only a fraction of the amount of food required to feed a stallion. When not working, they eat or rest most of the day.

Predators and Threats

The main threat to mules is disease. Stallions, donkeys and mules all face similar diseases such as tetanus, eastern equine encephalomyelitis and equine flu. Proper care for mules, frequent veterinary check-ups, and a vaccination program can all help prevent contracting these diseases, or at least lessen the impact. Since they are completely domesticated animals, they usually do not face any threat from predators.

Reproduction, Babies and Longevity

As mentioned above, mules are bred by crossing mares with bulls. After a gestation period of 11 to 12 months, a mare gives birth to a baby, called a foal. The average lifespan of a mule is about 30 years, but some mules can live into their 40s. Because mules have an odd number of chromosomes, 63, they are, in fact, often sterile. However, there are also instances of female mules giving birth.

population

These animals are found on six of the seven continents, except Antarctica. Because of the aforementioned fertility issues, they are almost entirely dependent on human care, and they are largely unable to reproduce in the wild to maintain wild populations. Reliable population figures are nearly impossible to obtain; however, as of 1998, the United States Department of Agriculture reported that there were approximately 200,000 mules in the United States alone. Mules are classified as the species of least concern.

in the zoo

These animals are common in zoos across the United States. Due to their peaceful disposition, they are also often found in petting zoos. The San Diego Zoo has several mules they recently donated to CalFire to be used as pack animals in remote wilderness areas of the state to help fight wildfires.

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