There are some amazing animals on this planet. The weird part is that we have yet to even discover all the animals that live today or have in the past. Nowadays, however, hybrid animal species are becoming the most popular topic of discussion. It is not hard to see why as they are anomalies for sure.

A hybrid animal species happens when animals from two different species, well, mate. Sometimes, these things happen in the wild and the animals will live among similar species for years. However, most hybrids tend to happen in captivity. Usually, these captive animals are put into enclosures with others of the same species.

Most of the time, the hope is that they will mate with that species. Other times, these animals are put among others of a similar but different species. Take, for example, elephants. Usually, African and Asian Elephants do not come across each other in the wild. Think about their names for a second to know why.

Yet in captivity, two young elephants will likely mate, causing a possible hybrid to be born. This actually did happen once too. Sadly, the baby elephant hybrid died 12 short days into its life.

Most hybrids tend to survive a good bit longer than this but many are sadly sterile. Sometimes, females of the species can still give birth but this is the only connection to the hybrid that will remain.

At the end of the day, however, hybrids are incredible. We felt it might be best to show you a lot of them, then tell you a little about the species and how they came to be. With that said, we hope you enjoy our list of the most incredible hybrid animal species of all time.

A sheep-goat hybrid, also called a geep. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

35. Geep

Created By: The Mingling Of Early Embryos, Involving 4 Total Parents

This is likely the most complicated hybrid species on the list. Most see a Geep and they assume it is the animal created when a sheep mates with a goat. Yet it’s a bit more complicated than this, as embryos of both a male and female of each species physically mingle with those of the opposite species.

Due to this, there are 4 total parents upon the completion of this mingling. Sheep and Goats are often in captivity and can likely mate with each other as a result. It is rare that we’d see them do this in the wild, but it does occur. Since it’s not as common, we get the chimera version of a Geep far more than a Geep created by mating.

Closeup Corn Snake Coiled on Nature. Photo Credit: Cherdchai Chaivimol/Shutterstock

34. King Corn Snake

Created By: Hybrid Partial Lab Creation Of King Snake & Corn Snake

Snakes are very hard to make hybrids out of. They often live amongst others like them or in isolation from other snakes completely. It honestly just depends on the snake itself. This is why trying to mate a King Snake with a Corn Snake or any other by normal means, even if you raised them from birth together, would be nearly impossible.

King Snakes love to eat other snakes, so a Corn Snake would be on the menu even if they were given food on the regular. This is why many hybrid snakes will be partially made in a lab by taking the male snake’s side of the equation and implanting it into the mother snake. On top of this, King Corn Snakes remain fertile, unlike many other hybrids.

Two Iron Age Pigs Fighting. Photo Credit: Flickr

33. Iron Age Pig

Created By: Male Boar & Female Pig

Unlike other hybrids, boars and pigs have mated with each other off and on for hundreds of years. This is likely due to being kept near each other or through importing boars into regions where wild or domesticated pigs were common. Wild Boars and Pigs are quite common in Europe, so we have seen a lot of pig/boar hybrids in the wild there.

We also create them by having a male boar mate with a Tamworth Sow to produce a hybrid animal species that looks very similar to those from the past. This was how the Iron Age Pig developed its name, connecting the species to the time period. They are incredibly hard to domesticate, due to their aggressive nature. Thus, they’re more often used for hunting in the wild.

Red-Grey Kangaroo. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

32. Red-Grey Kangaroo

Created By: Male Red Kangaroo & Female Grey Kangaroo

It’s often referred to as a Macropod Hybrid when two different marsupial species mate with each other. It is relatively uncommon to see Red and Grey Kangaroos mate in the wild. They tend to be on opposite sides of Australia, and the Grey Kangaroo species tend to be much larger than the Red.

Red Kangaroos can often look greyish in the wild, despite the red they tend to be. Their faces are completely different too, so it is likely other Kangaroos would know the difference. Yet mating between them has happened a number of times in the wild, producing infertile offspring each time. The last known of this wild hybrid was seen in the late 19th Century and happened to be small and white in coloring.

Coywolf Pack. Photo Credit: Jim Cumming/Shutterstock

31. Coywolf

Created By: Any Coyote & Wolf Mating

Coyotes and Wolves have a lot of similarities but Coyotes are much smaller than wolves. Both tend to travel in packs, but upon hunting Coyotes can and often do prefer hunting alone. Wolves hunt and do most everything in packs. That said, it would be really weird to see Coyotes and Wolves mate in the wild. Although it does happen, the commonness of it is very small.

Yet both tend to live in similar places and all canine species share at least 78 chromosomes. Therefore, they can interbreed and create other fertile canines. Wolves & Coyotes are the furthest apart in the canine family but still share a lot. Coywolves tend to look like both parents, share similarities to both, and grow to a size in-between both that of the coyote and wolf.

Adorable Gold Bengal female Cat Standing. Photo Credit: Seregraff/Shutterstock

30. Bengal Cat

Created By: Asian Leopard Cat & Egyptian Mau

Bengal Cats are completely domesticated with none currently in the wild at this moment. Yet they come from two well-known wild cat species, the Asian Leopard Cat & Egyptian Mau. Both of these wild cats are among the smallest known to the animal kingdom, with some also serving as domesticated cats already in several European and Asian homes.

We call their offspring a “Bengal Cat,” and they share distinct similarities with their parents. They have a golden shimmer coat with some also showing spots, rosettes, marbling, or arrowhead markings. All are usually relatively small as well. They may grow teeth or claws meant for the wild, but those can be filed down.

Hinny: the offspring of a female donkey and a male horse. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

29. Hinny

Created By: Male Horse & Female Donkey

Horses and Donkeys have mated or been forced to do so for centuries. It is so common that the offspring of a Male Horses & Female Donkeys, Hinnies, can be seen all over the world. They are very different compared to others like them, as they tend to have traits from both parents but lean toward the male horse more.

This results often in the Hinny having various horse-like features from the head looking like a horse, as well as their legs and speed. They get temperamental issues from donkeys as well as their cardio and ability to handle heavy amounts of weight without a problem.

Old Photo Of Jaglion. Photo Credit: Reddit

28. Jaglion

Created By: Male Jaguar & Lioness

Jaglions come from both a Jaguar and Lion. For those unaware, BOTH come from the Panthera banner of cats. This is the only reason Jaguars and Lions can mate and even have somewhat healthy offspring at all. It truly depends on whether a male or female is born, but Jaglions often have many traits from each parent.

Males end up developing mane like male lions. Meanwhile, both develop the classic Jaguar spots. Usually, the fur overall tends to be golden brown or yellowish like the Lion and they are spotted like the Jaguar. If the Jaguar is black or white, the Jaglion will take on this main coloring almost every single time.

Hybrid Iguana Walking In Grass. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

27. Hybrid Iguana

Created By: Male Marine Iguana & Female Galapagos Land Iguana

Most of the time, it’s rare for iguanas to co-mingle in the wild. Before the recent hybridization, there were really no records of any completely different iguanas mating. It may have happened, but we just have not seen the results of it. This is why it was so compelling to see the new Hybrid Iguana.

Scientists used iguanas from two different species lines, hoping the intergeneric breeding approach would result in a new hybrid. The two they used, the Marine & Galapagos Land Iguanas, both came from South Plaza Land in the Galapagos Islands. They felt lucky, with that feeling realized when an offspring came to be.

Adult Żubroń Walking. Photo Credit: CCat82/Shutterstock

26. Żubroń

Created By: Domestic Cattle & Wisent

Żubrońs are one of the most impressive hybrid animal species around. The concept behind trying to get a Żubroń originated in the mid-1800s when there was a theory a cross-breeding effort could result in a greater species to replace current cattle. This led to scientists breeding some domesticated cattle with wisents, also known as European Bison.

Żubroń are considered a near-perfect species. They are resistant to disease, unlike other cattle or bison. Males can weigh up to 2,600lbs while females weigh up to 1,790lbs, meaning they can be used for meat. Both are strong and can tolerate horrific weather conditions, making for perfect carrying aid. Like other hybrids, the males are infertile but the females can reproduce.

Anatomy of the sacoglossan mollusc Elysia chlorotica. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

25. Green Sea Slug

Created By: Sea Slug & Algae

Green Sea Slugs are not really the random creation of some mad scientist who thought an animal species and plant could somehow come together. In all reality, this is pretty much impossible. Yet, somehow, it happened. They are formed from a sea slug and algae that eventually kept evolving into what we see today.

The slugs have actually stolen so many genes from plants that they too are affected by photosynthesis. Green Sea Slugs are also the first known animal species of any kind that has been capable of producing chlorophyll. Known as “Elysia Chlorotica” by science, these slugs surely are amazing!

Incredible Savannah Cat that almost looks like a serval. Photo Credit: AJR_photo/Shutterstock

24. Savannah Cat

Created By: Domestic House Cat & Serval

Savannah Cats are also well known for being beautiful, impressive animals. They’re a hybrid cat species that are also the largest of all the normal cat breeds, excluding Panthera cats. Servals are actually wild cats found mostly in Africa. They can be very dangerous and are capable of taking down antelopes alone.

In comparison to big cats, the Savannah Cat is relatively small. But among domestic cats? It’s considered massive. They are impressively loyal, unlike the normal uncaring house cat. They are able to open doors and cabinets, as well as show impressive intelligence from a young age. Regular people are allowed to own them, but every nation has its own laws on this.

Zippy the Zonkey. Photo Credit: Glen Minikin/Shutterstock

23. Zonkey

Created By: Zebra & Donkey

Whether it is a male or female Zebra or male or female Donkey, the result of it will usually always be a Zonkey. Wild Zebras are almost exclusively found in Africa. Meanwhile, Donkeys can be found quite literally all over the world. Most tend to be domesticated, while most Zebras remain wild.

This means any mating that goes on between them tends to only occur when they are both in captivity. This means all Zonkeys are usually in captivity too. They have several traits from their parents, including a darker coating like a Donkey mixed with stripes like a Zebra.

Taxidermy Leopon. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

22. Leopon

Created By: Male Leopard & Lioness

Panthera cats share enough chromosomes for offspring to be possible between the two. Lions and Leopards differ in size, however. While Male lions are the second biggest predatory cat on the planet, even a Lioness can get quite large. Leopards, however, can differ in size depending on the type. That said, Leopons tend to be relatively large too.

Males obviously get larger than females, with males also developing mane like male lions. They will usually have spots like leopards, with most of them appearing like black splotches on brown fur. They are also somewhat lazy like lions, with great agility and the ability to climb well like leopards.

European Frog Hanging Out On Leaf. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

21. Edible Frog

Created By: Marsh Frog & Pool Frog

Often referred to by most as the Edible Frog for obvious reasons, the European Frog has been around for quite a long time now. They are quite a big hybrid animal species compared to others on the list. In fact, most forget or never knew the species is a hybrid of Marsh & Pool Frogs.

Since we’re talking about amphibians, the way hybridization happens can be quite different. It occurs through hybridogenesis, where half of a genome is passed intact to the offspring while the other half is discarded. This allows the other frog’s genome to come into play to create the hybrid. This tends to happen in a hemiclonal way rather than an asexual one too.

Young Cama Eating. Photo Credit: Flickr

20. Cama

Created By: Camal & Llama

Camels and Llamas share a lot of the same chromosomes but they are very different animals too. Thus far, only female Llamas have been able to produce a Cama offspring. Female Camels seem to be unable to produce any offspring using Llama sperm, sadly. Adult male Camels can be up to six times bigger than a female Llama.

Thus, the two species do not often mate in the wild or even in captivity. That means artificial insemination is needed to make Camas possible. Camas impressively produce more wool than normal Llamas. Like Camels, they are herbivores and can drink as well as store large amounts of water. Like other hybrids, male Camas are sadly sterile.

Red blood parrot cichlid are swimming in fish tank. Photo Credit: Arunee Rodloy/Shutterstock

19. Blood Parrot Cichlid

Created By: Midas & Redhead Cichlid

Expecting a bird? It’s a bit weird, but this happens to be a hybrid fish. Some assume that they are parrotfish, but Blood Parrot Cichlids are actually very different. It is claimed that the first of this hybrid animal species was produced in Taiwan back in 1986.

Breeders are the main way these fish are produced, with many even injecting some color into the fish. Blood Parrots are naturally red, so any yellow or grey versions are injected. This species has some up in arms over hybrid species completely, as it has various problems. One of these is its deformed mouth, which makes it harder to feed or ever release into the wild.

Mulard Ducks Hanging Out On Grass. Photo Credit: Bragapictures/Shutterstock

18. Mulard

Created By: Muscovy & Mallard

Many ducks are allowed to roam in the wild free until duck hunting season. However, due to the great meat ducks produce, they are often domesticated. Any time ducks are in captivity, it tends to be rare that they will not become dinner one day. Thus, you need to get meat as large as possible. Eventually, a genius concept came about.

Scientists had the idea to breed the Domestic Muscovy with the Domestic Mallard. Usually, the American Pekin are used for breeding as they tend to have high meat production, resulting in these ducks being called “mule ducks.” This is done through artificial insemination with the Pekin usually serving as the mother. Their hybrid results in Mulards being born, with adults having a good portion of meat.

Dingo-Dog Hybrid Resting. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

17. Dingo-Dog

Created By: Australian Dingo & Domestic Dog

Despite belonging to the canine species, Dingoes actually have impressive cat-like abilities. They are able to bend quite well, jump at high heights, and even climb. Yet normal dogs, domestic or otherwise, often have skills too. Although it depends on the type, some are great swimmers, hunters, climbers, etc.

Thus, breeding between the Dingo and regular Dog likely could produce a cool animal. This hybrid animal species often passes on several Dingo traits, like great bending and agility too. Hybrids of Dingoes and Dogs are said to likely outnumber “pure” Dingoes now. This is likely due to wild mating happening much more.

Dzo Grazing. Photo Credit: Instagrapher89/Shutterstock

16. Dzo

Created By: Yak & Domestic Cattle

Dzo or Dzomos are hybrids created by using a male yak and a domestic cow. Like other hybrids, females can have offspring but the males are completely sterile. The Dzo hybrid animal species is actually much larger than any normal Yak or Cattle, likely due to something is known as heterosis.

This is merely the improvement or increase in certain traits among hybrid creations compared to parents. Dzomo can also be back-crossed, allowing them to have offspring with a parent or genetically similar animal to their parent. This means there might be pure cattle or pure yak with each other’s genetic makeup.

A tigon resting. Photo Credit: PHOTO BY LOLA/Shutterstock

15. Tigon

Created By: Male Tiger & Lioness

It’s uncommon to see Tigers & Lions mate in the wild. Tigers are usually in Asia while Lions tend to be in Africa. However, they can often be put together in captivity quite often. Captured wild Adults aren’t put together, but cubs from each species often are. Male Tigers are usually very large while Lionesses are slightly smaller in size.

This makes mating possible without artificial insemination. Tigons are the offspring of the male Tiger/Lioness combo. They have great hunting skills as well as laziness from the Lions. Male Tigons will also develop a small mane. Most tend to have some stripes like the Tiger as well. They also do not exceed the size of their parents.

Black-Tip Hybrid Shark Swimming. Photo Credit: antos777/Shutterstock

14. Black-Tip Hybrid Shark

Created By: Australian Black Tip Shark & Common Black Tip Shark

In 2012, a huge surprise was discovered in the waters off the coast of Australia near Queensland. Researchers from the University of Queensland came across a hybrid Black Tip Shark that seems to be the product of mating between an Australian Black Tip Shark and a Common Black Tip Shark.

The team found that the hybrid animal species they discovered only happened due to climate change forcing both Black Tip species to come closer together. The Australian Black-Tip tends to live in tropical waters but the hybrid was found over 1,200 miles away from the coast, in cooler waters. This means the Australian Black-Tip seems to be adjusting to new changing sea temperatures.

Bison and beefalo grazing in the sun. Photo Credit: Crystal Thurmond/Shutterstock

13. Beefalo

Created By: Male Cattle & Female American Bison

Beefalo are not new to the hybrid animal species world. However, they only come about in official, regulated, and managed breeding programs. Usually, male domestic cattle will breed with a female American Bison. At times, the reverse has occurred too. The idea for creating the species was to use it to develop bigger beef production.

Beefalo are primarily cattle when you look at their appearance as well as their genetics. In total, they tend to have only 37.5% of Bison genetics. Those with higher bison genetics are often referred to simply as “bison hybrids.” This usually involves male Bison and female cattle. As far as the beef production goes, Beefalo do have quite a lot but it’s roughly similar to the parents.

A red wolf staring. Photo Credit: Joanna Wu/Shutterstock

12. Red Wolf

Created By: Gray Wolf & Coyote

Red Wolves have been around for a long time and have managed to stand out as their own set species for centuries. Yet they are actually a hybrid animal species due to being a cross between a Coyote & Gray Wolf. Their hybrid status has been debated for centuries, but it seems pretty clear based on their appearance.

They tend to be reddish like a coyote but often large like that of a gray wolf. Both males and females are fertile, so through hundreds of years of breeding, it’s hard to know where it all began at times. Due to technically being a hybrid, they’re routinely left off endangered species lists. Despite lower numbers of Red Wolves, these listings do not apply to hybrids. The ICUN did finally amend its rules to put the Red Wolf on the Critically Endangered List in 1996, however.

Yakalos with Beefalos and Beefyakalos. Photo Credit: Flickr

11. Yakalo

Created By: Yak Bull & American Bison Cow

The Yakalo species attempt happened back in the 1920s for similar reasons the Beefalo was attempted. Both were presented in hopes they would generate more meat production. Yet Yakalos were also thought to be capable of carrying more weight and may have a temperament that allows them to be domesticated for long-term use.

Thus, scientists had male Yak Bulls mate with Bison or Buffalo Cows. The experiments were a success with Yakalos being formed. However, like other hybrids, only the females were fertile while the males were not. When experiments were discontinued in 1928, Yakalos were sort of thrown into the wild and none survived or went on to mate with other Yaks/Bison.

Young Zorse Grazing. Photo Credit: MicheleB/Shutterstock

10. Zorse

Created By: Male Zebra & Female Horse

Zebra are some of the strongest animals in the world, pound for pound. They have been able to fight lions and other big species in Africa. However, they’re nearly impossible to domesticate. People have tried to domesticate all three species of Zebra but had no luck. Zebras are quite social in nature so they are often in large herds. Horses are similar to Zebras in multiple ways, with Wild Horses often acting exactly like Zebras.

Most assume the temperament of horses allowed humans to domesticate them, so the idea of possibly mating Horses with Zebra was conceived in hopes of an easier-to-deal-with species. In the 1800s, this was attempted with great success with Zorses coming about. These hybrids often inherit coloring patterns from the Zebra, resulting in various appearances among the hybrids. They also can get relatively large like horses, and tend to be easier to handle too.

Wholphin and Bottle-Nosed Dolphin. Photo Credit: beaverboy56/Shutterstock

9. Wholphin

Created By: Male False Killer Whale & Female Common Bottlenose Dolphin

Wholphins are extremely rare to see, with only one currently living. As a hybrid animal species alone, it is hard to live up to a year or more. Many hybrids never make it past the year mark. On top of this, the Wholphin is a hybrid of two creatures who would never mate in the wild at all.

False Killer Whales are far bigger than your regular dolphin, and they have been known to feed on bottlenose dolphins despite having multiple similarities to them. Both are part of the porpoise family of animals. False Killer Whales are notably black as well. Thus, the Wholphin is also black and possesses a bodily appearance, especially the face, to bottlenose dolphins. They also seemingly have a good relationship with humans, like regular dolphins too.

Sudan, Last Northern White Rhino. Photo Credit: INTERTOURIST/Shutterstock

8. Rhino Hybrid

Created By: Northern White Rhino & Southern White Rhino

This hybrid concept was put together for very understandable reasons. In order to help avoid a full extinction of any white rhino species, scientists felt a hybrid would make sense to try. The idea is that they could take some Northern White Rhino eggs and inject them with sperm from the Southern White Rhino.

The final stage in all of this is to get guaranteed birth embryos and put them into a Southern White Rhino as a surrogate. The process began in mid-2018, with hope for the following year. Thankfully, we can tell you that thus far, everything has gone very well. Fertilization is the next step, where they will then decide to actually go forth with the surrogate process.

Cocktail Orangutan Hanging Out In Tree. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

7. Cocktail Orangutan

Created By: Bornean Orangutan & Sumatran Orangutan

Some hybrids can be bad ideas for the creatures and the hybrid they create. This is the life of the cocktail orangutan. For decades, orangutans have been taken from the wild and put into captivity. At times, this is an effort to protect certain versions of the species. Meanwhile, zoos among other places also want them on display.

Before the 1980s, we did not know as much about Orangutans as we now do. This led to putting various Orangutans together, including the Borneo and Sumatran species. This created mating opportunities, resulting in hybrid orangutans. We later found out that the two species differ critically in genetics, thus creating very unhealthy hybrids. It became such an issue, Indonesia and several other places have ruled to outlaw the mating of the two species in captivity.

Polar/brown bear hybrid at Osnabrück Zoo. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

6. Pizzly/Grolar Bear

Created By: Polar Bear & Grizzly Bear

Most people would rightly assume that two completely different bear species would likely never mate in the wild. However, some live near enough to where mating could possibly occur. The Brown Bear or Grizzly is able to live in various different climates, with many being in colder environments.

Polar Bears are almost exclusively native to very cold climates. The two bear species are confirmed to have mated in the Canadian Arctic. However, most of the time the two will mate when in captivity. This creates a Pizzly or Grolar Bear, depending on who you ask and which bear was the father. They have fur that’s white or brownish/white mix. Hybrids are usually smaller than normal polar bears but larger than Grizzles. Meanwhile, the head type they have differs among hybrids.

Two Zebroids Standing Around. Photo Credit: afc9996/Shutterstock

5. Zebroid

Created By: Zebra & Any Equine

While we have already mentioned the Zorse and Zonkey, Zebras have been mated or had some artificial insemination involvement with other equine creatures. Zebroids overall have been around since the 19th Century with even Charles Darwin noting various hybrid Zebroids in his groundbreaking work on animals.

Equines have been mated among each other for centuries. Zebras are newer to the hybrid role, likely due to being nearly impossible to domesticate. Zebroids were attempted mostly to result in luxury-looking hybrids and they did just that. Most have stripes like the Zebra but other critical characteristics, such as the temperament, of the other equine species.

Two Ligers In Zoo. Photo Credit: Hkandy/Wikimedia Commons

4. Liger

Created By: Lion & Tigress

Lions and Tigers mating is nothing new to the captive animal kingdom. Ligers are the resulting offspring of a Lion and a female Tiger or Tigress. Ligers were not often saught after centuries ago, so any that happened likely was unintentional. Today, we do mate Tigers and Lions on the regular.

Ligers are ultimately very unhealthy animals that never stop growing. They are THE largest cat species on the planet today, in fact. The height and overall muscle size male lions pass on ends up mixing with the tigresses sheer size in the weight category. This results in two major size components passing on to Ligers, which makes them massive. Unlike with male Tigons, most male Ligers do not develop a mane of any type. Males are also infertile while females can procreate.

Mule Carrying Several Items. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

3. Mule

Created By: Male Donkey & Female Horse

As mentioned earlier, many equine creatures have mated with others outside their main species type for centuries. The horse and donkey are the two most common to do so, which creates the hybrid animal species known as the Mule. Of course, Mules have been around for what seems like forever. To be fair, mules go back to the time of Ancient Egypt in 3000 B.C.

Many don’t even realize they are hybrid creatures. Mules also tend to be more like donkeys and are capable of handling a good bit of weight for travel. They also have good cardio and muscle like horses with the legs of donkeys. Mules are usually infertile, so most you see come from hybridization.

Artist Rendition Of Narluga Hybrid. Photo Credit: Marcus Buhler/Flickr

2. Narluga

Created By: Beluga Whale & Narwhal

It is quite unusual to ever see a Beluga Whale mate with a Narwhal. Today, it’s nearly impossible to even see the result of their mating, the “Narluga.” However, researchers have proven that they have existed and that both Beluga Whales & Narwhals have mated in the past to create Narlugas.

In July 2019, scientists from Greenland had a weird skull sitting around that had so many mysteries behind it. This led them to want to know more. From its teeth to the shape of the skull, something just seemed different about it somehow. It was then that they were able to uncover that the skull belonged to the hybrid Narluga, shocking the scientific world.

African honey bee in flight with its body covered in pollen. Photo Credit: Hennie Briedenhann/Shutterstock

1. Africanized Bee or “Killer Bee”

Created By: Western Honey Bee & East African Lowland Honey Bee

The Africanized Bee, better known as the Killer Bee, actually was not a thing until human beings stepped in to moronically make them possible. The idea behind the Bee species was to help Brazil increase its honey production during the mid-1950s. However, 26 swarms of the bees escaped in 1957 and eventually spread throughout most of South and North America.

Killer Bees are often in warmer environments, such as upper areas of South America and lower levels of North America. The hybridization made them great honey makers for sure, but also gave them all the horrible traits of both bee species. Including the defensive nature of the African bee, resulting in many chasing and stinging humans.

[HYBRID ANIMALS EXTENDED]

Human like old chimpanzee. Photo Credit: Flickr

Humanzee

Created By: Human & Chimpanzee

While it is claimed that the Humanzee was never created, there have been attempts. Some success has happened with it from time to time. However, nothing concrete has occurred outside of theoretical settings (although some claim they have been developed). Gene Editing could change all of that soon, however. On a few occasions, there have been legal issues. In one instance, a laboratory was stopped from furthering their studies into a human/chimp hybrid.

Oliver the chimpanzee; a human-chimp hybrid. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

They claimed they were not planning to make the hybrid, but obviously, this was a lie. They had every intention to make them if possible. Hominids have mated in the past to create essentially a hybrid species. It is thought that early Homosapiens certainly mated with the Neandertal. However, due to the evolutionary space that humans are from Chimps, a successful hybrid is unlikely. This is why gene editing would be needed to help this along if we indeed wanted to attempt such a thing.

Huarizo, A hybrid offspring of a male llama and a female alpaca. Photo Credit: Flickr

Huarizo

Created By: Male Llama & Female Alpaca

While you might feel you’ve never truly seen a Huarizo, it’s likely you have. The cross between a Llama and Alpaca, Huarizo are usually among the cutest hybrids. The hybridization made some sense as both Alpacas and Llamas are not too far removed from the other in genetics, so their hybrid would likely be able to survive without as many complications.

Huarizo, alpaca and llama hybrid. Photo Credit: sallystap/Shutterstock

They were also thought to be possible in the wild if the two species met there. You’ll note the clear differences Huarizos have from their parents. They tend to have much more fur, and usually a good bit smaller than both Llamas and Alpacas. However, like other hybrids, they are sterile. Yet researchers from the University of Minnesota claim it is possible to preserve fertility with some genetic modification.

Photo of a taxidermied Pumapard. Photo Credit: Messybeast/Wikimedia Commons

Pumapard

Created By: Male Puma/Female Leopard OR Male Leopard/Female Puma

The Pumapard is a really compelling hybrid species. It combines the very useful things that the Leopard and Puma bring to the table. Of course, Pumas are better known by some as Cougars or Mountain Lions. Both big cats can get relatively large, yet size-wise, they are not too far off of one another. The Leopard, however, is notable for its spots. This transitions over to the Pumapard but the size does not.

Pumapard cub in Minnesota forest. Photo Credit: outdoorsman/Shutterstock

These are two completely different cat species, unlike some big cat hybrids. Leopards belong to the Panthera line where Pumas are their own species entirely. This is likely why all Pumapards tend to be born with a form of dwarfism, unlike what you might see in Ligers who can get quite large. When familial lines differ too far, dwarfism tends to be a common result. Especially when it involves larger animals.

Rackelhahn shouting an early morning. Photo Credit: Jonathan Koivuniemi/Shutterstock

Rackelhahn

Created By: Western Capercaillie & Black Grouse

The Rackelhahn is quite an odd hybrid. Some feel it was formed to see what the result could be when two large game birds came together. The Western Capercaillie is actually the largest in the grouse family while the Black Grouse, also a large grouse in its own right, does not really have any distinct qualities. Some feel the Rackelhahn was created as an answer to what could happen if the Black Grouse were to go extinct.

Rackelhahn. Photo Credit: Flickr

While it is not really in threat for that currently, there was a time when this was an issue. The Western Capercaillie experiences the same issues, which could be why scientists joined the two. If they could create a solid species, it could be formed in a lab without any potential extinction problems. However, the Rackelhahn is completely sterile. This could change with gene editing, which would allow a possible future for the species in the wild.

A coydog standing. Photo Credit: Flickr

Coydog

Created By: Male Coyote & Female Dog

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand what a Coydog is a hybrid of. Of course, you should remember that “Coydogs” typically come from the male coyote and female dog. It is quite compelling but breeding patterns differ between the two. Dogs do not have a season breeding period, likely due to centuries of domestication not requiring it. Coyotes do, which can make breeding male dogs with coyotes much harder to accomplish.

Coydog is the product of a coyote and a domestic dog. Photo Credit: Art And You In A Moment/Shutterstock

On top of this, male coyotes actually tend to their litter whereas male dogs do not. This can lead to a better outcome of survival for pups in the wild if they did indeed breed there. Due to the closeness of the species, Coydog hybrids are actually fertile and can successfully breed through four generations. It is stated the first Coydog hybrids were likely bred as far as 12,000 to 14,000 years ago too.

A European mink. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Khonorik

Created By: Polecat & Mink

The Khonorik is a cross-species of the European Polecat & European Mink. While today the hybrid version of this species is incredibly rare in the wild, it was not really as uncommon about 100 years ago. They actually began mating in the wild during the early 20th Century as the Northern part of Europe began experiencing a rise in temperature, creating a warmer climate. Polecats were able to expand their range as a result, leading to a collision with mink habitats.

A European polecat. Photo Credit: Flickr

In an interesting twist of fate, Khonoriks are able to have a lot of good from both. They swim well like the mink while they dig and burrow for food well like polecats. However, they are extremely hard to tame and/or breed. Females of the species are actually fertile too. Polecats and Minks were eventually bred together in captivity due to their offspring’s fur being more valuable than either of its parents. The first captive-bred version was done by Dmitry Ternovsky of Novosibirsk in 1978.

Catalina macaw parrot bird. Photo Credit: Sanit Fuangnakhon/Shutterstock

Catalina Macaw

Created By: Scarlet Macaw & Blue-And-Gold Macaw

The Catalina Macaw is known to be quite a beautiful bird. While it is possible that some are in the wild right now, it’s unlikely. The reason being, most macaws differ in the groups they tend to hang out with. They are usually going to be with those similar to them, ruining common mixing that you’d possibly come across in other species. This is especially true for the Scarlet Macaw & Blue-And-Gold Macaw.

Catalina Macaw looking at the camera. Photo Credit: tome213/Shutterstock

They are not often in the same areas in South America but could come across the other in the wild. Their hybrid would be known as Catalina Macaw, which tends to take the traits of both parents. Sometimes, they’ll come out with around 2 to 3 colors but several come out with all major colors of their parents, with one color being dominant. As of now, the only known Catalina Hybrids are in captivity with breeders around the world.

Sturddlefish hybrids. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Sturddlefish

Created By: American Paddlefish & Russian Sturgeon

While it is possible that a sturgeon and paddlefish could mate, it’s incredibly unlikely they would due to their geographic locations. If they did, their hybrid offspring would be called the Sturddlefish, and it’s one incredibly unique creature. Both the American Paddlefish & Russian Sturgeon are endangered. This led to programs being done to breed both in captivity. The hope was to preserve both species…but they never realized what would happen.

Sturddlefish hybrids were different blends of sturgeon vs paddlefish. Photo Credit: NARIC, Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture

Researchers in Hungary were part of those conducting experiments. Not all sea creatures can breed in captivity, so this was a crapshoot for sure. During this ordeal, they used sperm from a paddlefish with a female sturgeon. The idea was that it would act as a “control” when fertilizing the eggs later with sturgeon sperm. Researchers then essentially created the Sturddlefish on accident, and have continued making them.

Lonicera Fly Zoology Report. Photo Credit: Department of Zoology/The University of British Columbia

Lonicera Fly

Created By: Blueberry Maggot & Snowberry Maggot

Flies are kind of odd, but sometimes it is good to push the creation of more due to how important they can be for an entire ecosystem. Flys do serve a role in our world, but we usually tend to get all we need from the current. Why would anyone want to create a hybrid version of one? Funny enough, scientists are not responsible for the creation of the Lonicera Fly. This is a North American Fruit Fly that was first introduced in America at some point in the last 250 years.

Rhagoletis fausta or Cherry fly. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Many believe it was brought over to America on ornamental plants, making the origin likely somewhere in Europe. These particular flies tend to feed on berries from honeysuckles, also introduced in America in the last 250 years. It is widely assumed that flies came with the honeysuckle, and it could be that some breeding took place between both Blueberry and Snowberry maggots. They are now pretty widespread in North America.

Czechoslovakian wolfdog walking in nature in spring. Photo Credit: Photobox.ks/Shutterstock

Wolfdog

Created By: Wolf & Dog

Wolves and Dogs do not commonly come across each other in the wild as most dogs tend to be domesticated. However, this was not always the case. In fact, in places like Russia and Australia, there are a ton of wild dogs. The same can be said for certain sections across Africa today. In North America and Europe, dogs have been living alongside several wolf species for thousands of years. This has led to several instances of Wolfdogs. The only known wolves to have mated with domestic dogs are the Gray, Eastern, Red, and Ethiopian wolf species.

Head shot of black American Wolfdog. Photo Credit: Nynke van Holten/Shutterstock

Thus far, they seem to be the only ones that have produced a viable hybrid. Wolfdogs are common even today, with at least 100,000 living in the United States. Unlike some hybrids, Wolfdogs are reasonably healthy with many not being sterile. The Wolfdog temperament is truly hit and miss, as they can be unpredictable due to having traits from both canine species. That has resulted in several problematic encounters with the Wolfdog over the years, even those at a 3rd generation standing. Yet they do not tend to kill humans and tend to only injure most.

Motty, African Asian hybrid elephant. Photo Credit: Fandom [CC-BY-SA]

African-Asian Elephant

Created By: Male African Elephant & Female Asian Elephant

While it is really uncommon to see African and Asian Elephants mate in the wild, they have done so in captivity. It has been claimed for years that zoos and circuses bred the two different elephant types but those are not confirmed. However, the Straight-Tusked Elephant (now extinct) did breed with an Asian Elephant according to recovered DNA. In more recent history, the Chester Zoo in Cheshire is the only place that bred an African & Asian Elephant to create a proven hybrid.

Adult Motty was the only known African Asian hybrid elephant. Photo Credit: Fandom [CC-BY-SA]The calf was named Motty when he was born in 1978 to an African Elephant Father & Asian Elephant mother. The young elephant had features quite similar to both elephant types. This includes cheeks, ears, and legs from its father and nail numbers as well as a single trunk finger, like its mother. The overall body was African while also containing an Asian center hump. Sadly, Motty died after only 10 days, due to necrotizing enterocolitis and E. Coli. Since Motty, there have not been any confirmed successful African/Asian Elephant hybrids.

Mauremys iversoni or Fujian pond turtle. Photo Credit: Flickr

Fujian Pond Turtle

Created By: Asian Yellow Pond Turtle & Golden Coin Turtle

The Fujian Pond Turtle is quite interesting, as scientists did not realize it was a hybrid species at first. That led to the species being put on the IUCN Red List. When its origin became known, they removed it from the list as hybrids are not allowed. The Fujian is a cross between an Asian Yellow Pond Turtle & Golden Coin Turtle. Usually, to be around as long as it has, one would assume that it is a fertile hybrid. That is not the case, however.

Fujian pond turtle striking a turtle-y action pose for the camera. Photo Credit: Flickr

All the males seem to be infertile thus far, but females are more than capable of birthing offspring with other turtle types. That could be why we’ve only ever seen single specimens of the Fujian Pond Turtle, often in places where hybridization could very well occur in the wild among the two turtle types. The hybrid will likely remain in low numbers due to male infertility, but we’re certainly going to see a lot of other turtle types if the females breed in the wild.

The Naked Neck chicken. Photo Credit: alexgo.photography/Shutterstock

Naked Neck

Created By: Naked Neck & Other Game Birds

Who in their right mind would want to make a hybrid creation between a chicken and a turkey? Were they wanting to make sure Thanksgiving was more eventful? The Turken, also known as the Naked Neck or Naked Chicken, was bred originally in Transylvania. However, it was also bred in Romania and Germany too, all unrelated to the other. Funny enough, it did not begin as a hybrid. People actually confuse it for being a cross between a turkey and chicken.

Close Portrait free range backyard Red naked neck rooster chicken. Photo Credit: MD_style/Shutterstock

Naked Necks were known for having one dominant gene, making it easy to introduce into other breeds. That results in hybrids rather than other true Naked Necks. In fact, the breed has been recognized by the American Poultry Association since 1965. This hybrid breed was first introduced in Britain in the 1920s. The gene dominance continues to lead to more Naked Necks across the planet, thus making more random hybrids. The more breeding they do, the more common the species will be.

Borneo Bateater bred from a Burmese python and a retic python. Photo Credit: Reddit

Borneo Bateater

Created By: Burmese Python & Reticulated Python

When you hear the name “Borneo Bateater,” it should start some small fear inside. It might surprise you to find out that this is a hybrid snake too. Two pythons come together to make it possible, the Burmese Python & Reticulated Python. They are the two most common python snakes on the planet and their hybrid offspring is a constrictor just as they are. Considered kind of an exotic pet, the Borneo Bateater is very common in the pet trade business.

A Burmese python and reticulated python hybrid, called Borneo Bateater. Photo Credit: Reddit

This makes it kind of a black market pet (although many are sold legally). There are some that were released into the wild, causing places like South Florida to see a huge snake problem. This hybrid snake is similar to both pythons, making it relatively large. It’s fat, strong, and can kill several animals..even humans. The hope is that we can find all of the hybrid snakes and remove them from the wild before they drastically affect the area negatively.

Cuban-American Crocodile Hybrid Species. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Cuban-American Crocodile

Created By: American Crocodile & Cuban Crocodile

Crocodiles do not traditionally breed with different croc types in the wild. This is especially true regarding the Cuban Croc and American Croc. However, they will at times meet up due to climate change causing many to move around. As a result, we have a hybrid species simply called the Cuban-American Crocodile. It has become a huge problem in American waters, becoming a well-known invasive species.

Cuban-American Crocodile. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

In Cuban waters, it has led to the Cuban Croc species slowly dying off. As of 2011, the species is now down to a believed 4,000, making it officially part of the endangered species list. That has resulted in some attempts to catch the hybrid species and remove it from Cuban waters. As of now, there are still many out there. It is uncertain if all of the Cuban-American crocodiles were bred in the wild or if they were introduced by scientists. However, they could lead to Cuban croc extinction.