Zeedonk
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Zonkey.jpg
A zeedonk (also called similar names including zebrass, zebronkey, zenkey or deebra) is an interspecies cross between a zebra and a donkey. Donkeys are closely related to zebras and belong to the same horse family. Zeedonks are very rare.
In South Africa they are called a zonkey and are fairly common where zebras and donkeys are found in close proximity. Like mules, however, they cannot breed, due to an odd number of chromosomes disrupting meiosis.
Barbados recently discovered its first zeedonk on April 21st, 2005.
In captivity
Though zeedonks are rare, zoos have succeeded in producing them. Colchester Zoo in Essex claims to have produced the first zeedonk in 1971. A zeedonk is still exhibited at Colchester, but they now have a policy of preventing interbreeding and so will not be breeding more.
Exotic animal breeders who house zebras sometimes breed zeedonks.
See also
External link
- http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/28/1062050609625.html
- Colchester Zoo's page about the zeedonk (http://www.colchester-zoo.com/pages/edu/species_detail.cfm?id=74)
- http://www.geocities.com/zedonknzorse/basics.html