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Horses and Donkeys are considered separate due to the different number of chromosomes each possesses. They are however in the same family and can breed together to produce mules and hinnies, which also have a different number of chromosomes and are typically sterile.

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12y ago
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12y ago

They can interbreed because they are both from the "Equus" family. They are considered different breeds because they have many different qualities. A donkey's ears are long and big, but a horse's ears are short and stout. A horse's tail is a bunch of long fibers flowing down. A donkey's tail is covered with fur, and then extends to the hair, much like a cow's tail. We're in the same family as chimpanzees, but does that make us the same species? Nope.

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Q: Why are horses and donkeys considered different species even though they can interbreed?
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Why are horses and donkeys considered different species even they can produce offspring?

Horses and donkeys can reproduce offspring because there they are so closely related they are scientifically classified in the same kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, and genus. Their offspring will often be infertile though.


Why are horses and donkeys considered different species even though they can produce offsprings?

Horses and donkeys can reproduce offspring because there they are so closely related they are scientifically classified in the same kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, and genus. Their offspring will often be infertile though.


How do you know that the horse and the donkey are not of the same species?

Mainly, due to their physical features. Donkeys look differently from horses, a donkeys mane stands straight up, their tails are shorter, and they sound different (donkeys Bray as apposed to the neigh of a horse). Donkeys are also unable to run as fast as horses, unable to pull as much weight as a work horse can, and they are unable to comfortably sit a person and saddle on their backs. Another reason how it is proven that Donkeys are of a different Species than horses is the number of chromosomal pairs in each. Horse's have 64 chromosomes and Donkeys have only 62, leaving the offspring with 63 chromosomes.


Why do zebras and donkeys belong to the same species?

Equus, horses and donkeys.


Why are horse and donkeys not the same species?

Donkeys and horses are not from the same species because of this: In sexual organisms, two organisms belong to the same species if they are able to breed and have fertile offspring. Although horses and donkeys can have mules, they are infertile, so they are two separate species and the mule is a hybrid.

Related questions

Why are donkeys and hourses considered different species?

They are considered different due to a different number of Chromosomes.


A group of organisms that can interbreed is called a?

When a group of organisms can interbreed they are considered a species. Humans can interbreed and produce other humans because they are the same species.


How are hybrids are produced?

hybrids are produced when two different species interbreed


What is species definded as?

A species is a group of organisms that share similar physical, metabolical and behavioral traits, which can interbreed to make fertile offspring.For example, horses and donkeys can breed to make a mule, but as it is infertile, horses and donkeys are separate species.


What is interbreed?

The word interbreed in animals refers to the breeding of different species. This is believed to produce a superior breed.


What Organisms that can be interbreed and bear fertile offspring are considered to be in what classification?

Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring belong to the same species classification. Organisms within a species share similar characteristics and can reproduce to create viable offspring.


Can dogs get pregnant from a cat?

no they are different species, they cannot interbreed


Does dogs and cats make babys?

No, they are different species and can not interbreed.


Why are horses and donkeys considered different species even though they can?

Horses and Donkeys are considered separate due to the different number of chromosomes each possesses. They are however in the same family and can breed together to produce mules and hinnies, which also have a different number of chromosomes and are typically sterile.


Do alligators and crocodiles interbreed and pass genetic information to one another allowing the species to develop in a similar way?

No, they do not. They are 2 different species, and cannot interbreed.


What is the potential to interbreed in the evolutionary species concept?

Means a species always has that potential to breed, one with another. Still, different populations of that species may be too geographically divided to actually interbreed.


What is natural speciation?

It's the natural process of species separating from other species. Two different species cannot interbreed.