Amazing! 12 Types of Hybrid Animals That Actually Exist
Key Points:
- A wholphin, a cross between a female bottle-nosed dolphin and a male false killer whale, is one of the rarest hybrid animals on earth.
- A liger comes from the offspring of a male lion and female tiger, whereas the tigon is created by mating a female lion with a male tiger. Ligers are born much larger than their parents and favor the lion father , while tigons are smaller in size than their parents and favor the tiger father.
- The zebroid, the cross between a zebra and horse, is usually infertile. Zebra hybrids usually have the appearance of whichever animal they have been crossbred with while still retaining the striped coat of a pure zebra.
What is a hybrid animal? What are the different types of hybrid animals? Are they creatures that only exists in fables and myths? No! In fact, many crossbred animals are real!
Hybrid animals are usually the reproductive result of intercourse between two similar animals, like lions and tigers. Lab hybrid animals also exist. Scientists call the process is “somatic hybridization,” and it allows them to manipulate genes to create new species with useful traits from both parents.
Check out the list below for 12 real examples of incredible hybrid animals.
1. Liger: Male Lion and Female Tiger Hybrid Animal
AkulininaOlga/Shutterstock.com
The offspring of a male lion and female tiger, the liger is probably the most famous hybrid animal of all and the largest of the big cats.
Ligers are usually much bigger than either parent. The largest non-obese liger in the world weighs 1,000 pounds, and the heaviest one ever recorded weighed an astounding 1,600 pounds.
Unlike some hybrid animals, it would be nearly impossible to find ligers in the wild because lions and tigers don’t naturally inhabit the same regions.
They usually look and behave more like lions than tigers, but they do show tiger traits such as a love for swimming and striped backs.
You can read more about ligers here.
2. Tigon: Male Tiger and Female Lion Hybrid Animal
Igumnova Irina/Shutterstock.com
Nobody could fault you for thinking a tigon should basically be the exact same animal as a liger. After all, they’re both mixes of lions and tigers.
However, when a male tiger mates with a female lion, the resulting offspring is a tigon.
Tigons are much smaller than ligers, and they tend to be smaller than both of their parents. They typically look more like their tiger fathers, but they possess traits from their lion mothers, such as the ability to roar and a love for socialization.
3. Wholphin: False Killer Whale and Dolphin Hybrid Animal
Wholphins are one of the rarest hybrid animals. They come from the crossbreeding of a female bottle-nosed dolphin and a male false killer whale (a member of the dolphin family that isn’t related to killer whales).
Citizen wholphin sightings in the wild are common, but concrete evidence still eludes scientists. Currently, we can only reliably see them in captivity.
Wholphins are an extremely interesting balance of their parents. Their skin is a dark gray — the perfect blend of light gray dolphin skin and black false killer whale skin. They also have 66 teeth, which is the precise average of dolphins’ 88 teeth and the false killer whale’s 44 teeth.
4. Leopon: Leopard and Lion Hybrid Animal
Leopons are beautiful and uncommon hybrids resulting from a male leopard and female lion union.
Leopons grow to be nearly as large as lions, but they have shorter legs like a leopard. They also have other leopard traits, including a love for water and climbing chops.
Did You Know? When a male lion mates with a leopardess, the resulting offspring is called a lipard. Male lions are typically about 10 feet long and weigh around 500 pounds, but a female leopard is usually only about 5 feet long and weighs about 80 pounds. Because of the immense size difference between a male lion and a female leopard, this pairing happens very rarely.
5. Beefalo: Buffalo and Cow Hybrid Animal
Maslowski Marcin/Shutterstock.com
Beefalo are the hybridization of buffalo and domestic cattle.
In most cases, breeders create beefalo by pairing a domesticated bull with a female American bison. Unlike many other types of animal hybrids, beefalo are able to reproduce on their own, which is useful.
These animals were intentionally crossbred by humans to improve beef production and carry the best traits of both species. They produce leaner, more flavorful meat like bison, but are more docile and easier to raise like domestic cattle.
Typically, beefalo are 37.5% bison and mostly resemble cattle. Some breeds are 50% or more bison and sometimes called “cattalo.” In addition, any hybrid that resembles a bison more than a cow is usually considered an “exotic animal” rather than livestock.
6. Grolar Bear: Grizzly and Polar Bear Hybrid Animal
Grolar bears, as you might expect, are a cross between a grizzly bear and polar bear.
These animals are also sometimes called “pizzly bears,” and some First Nations peoples call them “nanulak,” which is a blend of their words for polar bear, “nanuk,” and grizzly bear, “aklak.”
Grolar bears are interesting because, generally speaking, polar bears and grizzlies have a mutual contempt for one another and will rarely coexist in captivity or in their natural habitats. However, extreme situations and human interventions have produced more of these adorably shaggy, caramel-colored hybrid bears.
They typically grow to be slightly smaller than polar bears, averaging 60 inches tall at the shoulder and around 1,000 pounds, but they’re better able to survive in warmer climates thanks to their grizzly bear genes.
7. Jaglion: Jaguar and Lion Hybrid Animal
Another stunning and intriguing big cat hybrid is the jaglion, which comes from the mating of a male jaguar and a female lion.
Not much is known about jaglions simply because so few exist. However, an unintentional mating between a black jaguar and a lioness resulted in two jaglion cubs. One has the coloring of a lion and the rosette-pattern spotting of a jaguar, but the other sports a breathtaking dark gray coat with black spotting thanks to the dominant melanin gene found in black jaguars.
Offspring produced by the opposite pairing of a male lion and female jaguar are called liguars.
8. Zebroid: Zebra and Horse Hybrid Animal
Shawn Hamilton/Shutterstock.com
Technically, a zebroid is actually a hybrid of a zebra and any equine species. When paired with a horse, the result is called a “zorse.”
Zebra hybrids are usually infertile and pairings are rare. For example, we call the offspring of a male donkey and a female zebra a ‘hinny,’ but they’re extremely uncommon.
Zebra hybrids usually have the appearance of whichever animal they have been crossbred with while still retaining the striped coat of a pure zebra. Most of these hybrid animals don’t have fully striped coats. Instead, the stripes are usually found on just the legs or non-white areas of the body, depending on the genetics of the non-zebra parent.
For more information about the zorse, click here.
9. Geep: Goat and Sheep Hybrid Animal
One of the cutest and cuddliest hybrid animals is the geep, an endearing cross between a goat and a sheep.
Despite being absolutely adorable, the geep is exceptionally rare. Some experts debate whether or not the geep is a true hybrid or simply a sheep with genetic abnormalities. After all, since goats and sheep carry different numbers of chromosomes, cross-species conception is nearly impossible. If it happens, very few babies are carried to term, and even fewer survive birth.
Regardless, looking at pictures of these animals is sure to make you smile.
10. Cama: Camel and Llama Hybrid Animal
Like beefalo, the cama was created to produce an animal that was more economically viable than either of its parents.
Camas are hybrids of dromedary camels and llamas, typically via artificial insemination. This is the best and safest way to breed them since male dromedary camels can weigh six times more than female llamas, and the reverse pairing isn’t fruitful.
Camas don’t have camel humps and are covered in soft, fleecy fur similar to llamas’. They were bred with the intent of creating a mega-wool-producing animal that’s strong and docile enough to be used as a pack animal in desert climates.
11. Savannah Cat: Domestic Cat and African Serval Hybrid Animal
Nynke van Holten/Shutterstock.com
Savannah cats may be house pets, but they’re also exotic hybrids — the result of breeding a domestic cat with a wild African serval.
Savannahs are striking animals that are around the same size as a large domestic cat. However, their tall bodies, slender forms, and spotted coats give them a wild, exotic appearance. Savannah cats with more serval blood can be twice as large as domestic cats! So anyone interested in owning one should do plenty of careful research.
Savannah cats are extremely intelligent, loyal, and loving creatures. Plus, they’re prized household pets.
12. Green Sea Slug: Algae and Slug Hybrid Animal
Possibly the most unusual hybrid animal on this list is the green sea slug. It is a sea slug that incorporates genetic material from the algae it eats into its own DNA. The strange result is a plant-animal hybrid that can consume food like an animal or create its own nutrients via photosynthesis.
Scientists call these sea slugs “emerald green elysia.” Their ability to turn solar energy into food is what gives them their brilliant green hue.
Scientists acknowledge that they will have to do more research in order to determine how this phenomenon happens. But as of now, this is the only successful instance of gene transfer from one type of complex organism to another.
Other Notable Hybrid Animals
While we covered 12 hybrid animals, there are more. Others include:
- Coywolf–Coyote and Wolf
- Narluga–Narwal and Beluga
- Dzo–Cow and Wild Yak
- Mulard–Mallard and Muscovy Duck
- Żubroń–Cow and European Bison
- Zonkey–Zebra and Donkey
From myth to reality! Some animals remain firmly in the realm of fairy tales and mythology. But fascinating hybrid animals do live among us!
Summary of 12 Amazing Types of Hybrid Animals
Let’s take a look back at 12 fascinating hybrid animals:
| Rank | Animal | Hybrid Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liger | Male Lion and Female Tiger |
| 2 | Tigon | Male Tiger and Female Lion |
| 3 | Wholphin | False Killer Whale and Dolphin |
| 4 | Leopon | Leopard and Lion |
| 5 | Beefalo | Buffalo and Cow |
| 6 | Grolar Bear | Grizzly and Polar Bear |
| 7 | Jaglion | Jaguar and Lion |
| 8 | Zebroid | Zebra and Horse |
| 9 | Geep | Goat and Sheet |
| 10 | Cama | Camel and Llama |
| 11 | Savannah Cat | Domestic Cat and African Serval |
| 12 | Green Sea Slug | Algae and Slug |
Up Next…
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- 18 Mind-Blowing Animal Facts Dude, these details from the animal kingdom will seriously blow your mind!
- Animal News, Facts, Rankings, and More! Keep updated on the latest information coming out of the animal kingdom here.
- Blue Whale Skeleton: 6 Fun Facts Have you ever imagined what a whale skeleton looks like? Learn that and more fun facts in this read.
More from A-Z Animals
Key Points:
- A wholphin, a cross between a female bottle-nosed dolphin and a male false killer whale, is one of the rarest hybrid animals on earth.
- A liger comes from the offspring of a male lion and female tiger, whereas the tigon is created by mating a female lion with a male tiger. Ligers are born much larger than their parents and favor the lion father , while tigons are smaller in size than their parents and favor the tiger father.
- The zebroid, the cross between a zebra and horse, is usually infertile. Zebra hybrids usually have the appearance of whichever animal they have been crossbred with while still retaining the striped coat of a pure zebra.
What is a hybrid animal? What are the different types of hybrid animals? Are they creatures that only exists in fables and myths? No! In fact, many crossbred animals are real!
Hybrid animals are usually the reproductive result of intercourse between two similar animals, like lions and tigers. Lab hybrid animals also exist. Scientists call the process is “somatic hybridization,” and it allows them to manipulate genes to create new species with useful traits from both parents.
Check out the list below for 12 real examples of incredible hybrid animals.
1. Liger: Male Lion and Female Tiger Hybrid Animal
AkulininaOlga/Shutterstock.com
The offspring of a male lion and female tiger, the liger is probably the most famous hybrid animal of all and the largest of the big cats.
Ligers are usually much bigger than either parent. The largest non-obese liger in the world weighs 1,000 pounds, and the heaviest one ever recorded weighed an astounding 1,600 pounds.
Unlike some hybrid animals, it would be nearly impossible to find ligers in the wild because lions and tigers don’t naturally inhabit the same regions.
They usually look and behave more like lions than tigers, but they do show tiger traits such as a love for swimming and striped backs.
You can read more about ligers here.
2. Tigon: Male Tiger and Female Lion Hybrid Animal
Igumnova Irina/Shutterstock.com
Nobody could fault you for thinking a tigon should basically be the exact same animal as a liger. After all, they’re both mixes of lions and tigers.
However, when a male tiger mates with a female lion, the resulting offspring is a tigon.
Tigons are much smaller than ligers, and they tend to be smaller than both of their parents. They typically look more like their tiger fathers, but they possess traits from their lion mothers, such as the ability to roar and a love for socialization.
3. Wholphin: False Killer Whale and Dolphin Hybrid Animal
Wholphins are one of the rarest hybrid animals. They come from the crossbreeding of a female bottle-nosed dolphin and a male false killer whale (a member of the dolphin family that isn’t related to killer whales).
Citizen wholphin sightings in the wild are common, but concrete evidence still eludes scientists. Currently, we can only reliably see them in captivity.
Wholphins are an extremely interesting balance of their parents. Their skin is a dark gray — the perfect blend of light gray dolphin skin and black false killer whale skin. They also have 66 teeth, which is the precise average of dolphins’ 88 teeth and the false killer whale’s 44 teeth.
4. Leopon: Leopard and Lion Hybrid Animal
Leopons are beautiful and uncommon hybrids resulting from a male leopard and female lion union.
Leopons grow to be nearly as large as lions, but they have shorter legs like a leopard. They also have other leopard traits, including a love for water and climbing chops.
Did You Know? When a male lion mates with a leopardess, the resulting offspring is called a lipard. Male lions are typically about 10 feet long and weigh around 500 pounds, but a female leopard is usually only about 5 feet long and weighs about 80 pounds. Because of the immense size difference between a male lion and a female leopard, this pairing happens very rarely.
5. Beefalo: Buffalo and Cow Hybrid Animal
Maslowski Marcin/Shutterstock.com
Beefalo are the hybridization of buffalo and domestic cattle.
In most cases, breeders create beefalo by pairing a domesticated bull with a female American bison. Unlike many other types of animal hybrids, beefalo are able to reproduce on their own, which is useful.
These animals were intentionally crossbred by humans to improve beef production and carry the best traits of both species. They produce leaner, more flavorful meat like bison, but are more docile and easier to raise like domestic cattle.
Typically, beefalo are 37.5% bison and mostly resemble cattle. Some breeds are 50% or more bison and sometimes called “cattalo.” In addition, any hybrid that resembles a bison more than a cow is usually considered an “exotic animal” rather than livestock.
6. Grolar Bear: Grizzly and Polar Bear Hybrid Animal
Grolar bears, as you might expect, are a cross between a grizzly bear and polar bear.
These animals are also sometimes called “pizzly bears,” and some First Nations peoples call them “nanulak,” which is a blend of their words for polar bear, “nanuk,” and grizzly bear, “aklak.”
Grolar bears are interesting because, generally speaking, polar bears and grizzlies have a mutual contempt for one another and will rarely coexist in captivity or in their natural habitats. However, extreme situations and human interventions have produced more of these adorably shaggy, caramel-colored hybrid bears.
They typically grow to be slightly smaller than polar bears, averaging 60 inches tall at the shoulder and around 1,000 pounds, but they’re better able to survive in warmer climates thanks to their grizzly bear genes.
7. Jaglion: Jaguar and Lion Hybrid Animal
Another stunning and intriguing big cat hybrid is the jaglion, which comes from the mating of a male jaguar and a female lion.
Not much is known about jaglions simply because so few exist. However, an unintentional mating between a black jaguar and a lioness resulted in two jaglion cubs. One has the coloring of a lion and the rosette-pattern spotting of a jaguar, but the other sports a breathtaking dark gray coat with black spotting thanks to the dominant melanin gene found in black jaguars.
Offspring produced by the opposite pairing of a male lion and female jaguar are called liguars.
8. Zebroid: Zebra and Horse Hybrid Animal
Shawn Hamilton/Shutterstock.com
Technically, a zebroid is actually a hybrid of a zebra and any equine species. When paired with a horse, the result is called a “zorse.”
Zebra hybrids are usually infertile and pairings are rare. For example, we call the offspring of a male donkey and a female zebra a ‘hinny,’ but they’re extremely uncommon.
Zebra hybrids usually have the appearance of whichever animal they have been crossbred with while still retaining the striped coat of a pure zebra. Most of these hybrid animals don’t have fully striped coats. Instead, the stripes are usually found on just the legs or non-white areas of the body, depending on the genetics of the non-zebra parent.
For more information about the zorse, click here.
9. Geep: Goat and Sheep Hybrid Animal
One of the cutest and cuddliest hybrid animals is the geep, an endearing cross between a goat and a sheep.
Despite being absolutely adorable, the geep is exceptionally rare. Some experts debate whether or not the geep is a true hybrid or simply a sheep with genetic abnormalities. After all, since goats and sheep carry different numbers of chromosomes, cross-species conception is nearly impossible. If it happens, very few babies are carried to term, and even fewer survive birth.
Regardless, looking at pictures of these animals is sure to make you smile.
10. Cama: Camel and Llama Hybrid Animal
Like beefalo, the cama was created to produce an animal that was more economically viable than either of its parents.
Camas are hybrids of dromedary camels and llamas, typically via artificial insemination. This is the best and safest way to breed them since male dromedary camels can weigh six times more than female llamas, and the reverse pairing isn’t fruitful.
Camas don’t have camel humps and are covered in soft, fleecy fur similar to llamas’. They were bred with the intent of creating a mega-wool-producing animal that’s strong and docile enough to be used as a pack animal in desert climates.
11. Savannah Cat: Domestic Cat and African Serval Hybrid Animal
Nynke van Holten/Shutterstock.com
Savannah cats may be house pets, but they’re also exotic hybrids — the result of breeding a domestic cat with a wild African serval.
Savannahs are striking animals that are around the same size as a large domestic cat. However, their tall bodies, slender forms, and spotted coats give them a wild, exotic appearance. Savannah cats with more serval blood can be twice as large as domestic cats! So anyone interested in owning one should do plenty of careful research.
Savannah cats are extremely intelligent, loyal, and loving creatures. Plus, they’re prized household pets.
12. Green Sea Slug: Algae and Slug Hybrid Animal
Possibly the most unusual hybrid animal on this list is the green sea slug. It is a sea slug that incorporates genetic material from the algae it eats into its own DNA. The strange result is a plant-animal hybrid that can consume food like an animal or create its own nutrients via photosynthesis.
Scientists call these sea slugs “emerald green elysia.” Their ability to turn solar energy into food is what gives them their brilliant green hue.
Scientists acknowledge that they will have to do more research in order to determine how this phenomenon happens. But as of now, this is the only successful instance of gene transfer from one type of complex organism to another.
Other Notable Hybrid Animals
While we covered 12 hybrid animals, there are more. Others include:
- Coywolf–Coyote and Wolf
- Narluga–Narwal and Beluga
- Dzo–Cow and Wild Yak
- Mulard–Mallard and Muscovy Duck
- Żubroń–Cow and European Bison
- Zonkey–Zebra and Donkey
From myth to reality! Some animals remain firmly in the realm of fairy tales and mythology. But fascinating hybrid animals do live among us!
Summary of 12 Amazing Types of Hybrid Animals
Let’s take a look back at 12 fascinating hybrid animals:
| Rank | Animal | Hybrid Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liger | Male Lion and Female Tiger |
| 2 | Tigon | Male Tiger and Female Lion |
| 3 | Wholphin | False Killer Whale and Dolphin |
| 4 | Leopon | Leopard and Lion |
| 5 | Beefalo | Buffalo and Cow |
| 6 | Grolar Bear | Grizzly and Polar Bear |
| 7 | Jaglion | Jaguar and Lion |
| 8 | Zebroid | Zebra and Horse |
| 9 | Geep | Goat and Sheet |
| 10 | Cama | Camel and Llama |
| 11 | Savannah Cat | Domestic Cat and African Serval |
| 12 | Green Sea Slug | Algae and Slug |
Up Next…
Want to learn some more interesting facts and information about animals? Then read these posts:
- 18 Mind-Blowing Animal Facts Dude, these details from the animal kingdom will seriously blow your mind!
- Animal News, Facts, Rankings, and More! Keep updated on the latest information coming out of the animal kingdom here.
- Blue Whale Skeleton: 6 Fun Facts Have you ever imagined what a whale skeleton looks like? Learn that and more fun facts in this read.