mule

A mule is the hybrid offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). It belongs to the genus Equus but is not a separate species. Mules typically combine the size and strength of a horse with the endurance and sure-footedness of a donkey. They are usually larger than donkeys and smaller than horses, with long ears and a compact, muscular build. Mules are valued for work in difficult terrain and climates, showing high stamina and a calm disposition that makes them reliable pack and draft animals in agriculture, mining, and logistics.

Most mules are sterile, having an odd number of chromosomes (donkey 62, horse 64, mule 63). This chromosomal mismatch disrupts the production of viable reproductive cells, so female and male mules rarely reproduce. There are occasional reports of fertility, but they are not common.

Mules have a long history of use in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, where they were essential for transport and labor before mechanization. Today they are still used in some rural and mountainous regions, as well as for recreational riding and trekking, particularly where horses or donkeys alone are less practical.

A mule is a hybrid, not a distinct species, and has no separate conservation status. Proper breeding relies on crossing a horse with a donkey, taking into account temperament and training to maximize safety and productivity.