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What is a mule?
A mule is the offspring from a male donkey, called a jack, and a female horse,
called a mare. When a male horse, a stallion is bred to a female donkey, a jenny,
the offspring is called a hinny.
Mules are a hybrid because
their parents are two different equine species – the donkey and the horse.
Mules can be male or female, but they rarely reproduce. Scientists think
that’s because they have 63 chromosomes, an odd number that can’t
be divided equally. Horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 62. (People have
46.)
Project Idaho has produced three mule clones from the same fetal mule skin cells,
making them identical triplets. The mule clones are full brothers to the champion
racing mule named "Taz." |
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Idaho
Gem — The World’s First Equine Clone
The first of three mule clones born at the University of Idaho.
Born: May 4, 2003
Gender: Male
Birth weight: 107 pounds
Surrogate mother: Idaho Syringa
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Utah Pioneer
The second mule clone born at the University of Idaho
Born: June 9, 2003
Gender: Male
Birth weight: 78 pounds
Surrogate mother: Idaho Rose |
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Idaho
Star
The third mule clone born at the University of Idaho
Born: July 27, 2003
Gender: Male
Birth weight: 87 pounds
Surrogate mother: Idaho Dawn |
[Glossary]
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