Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Zonkey Unique



Animals Unique | Zonkey Unique | Zonkey Classification and Evolution
The Zonkey is a hybrid animal That is created by cross-breeding two different species of animal That belong to the same genetic group. Technically though, an individual is classed as a Zonkey only if it is sired from a male and female Zebra Donkey, as one That has a male and female Zebra Donkey parents is known as a Zedonk.
 
 
 Like many other animal hybrids around the world Including the Mule and the Liger however, the Zonkey is a sterile creature That meaning it can not Produce offspring of it's own. Unlike the Liger though, it is actually quite possible for Zonkeys to live in the wild as Zebras and Donkeys are naturally found in close proximity to one another in parts of Africa. Although They are very rare, cases of wild Zonkeys have been reported but the majority of them today are found in zoos around the world and are Bred as tourist attractions.

Zonkey Anatomy and Appearance
The Zebra and the Donkey are closely related to one another and both belonging to the Horse family means these two species share a number of similar characteristics Including Their size. The Zonkey tends to be of a similar size to these animals but takes on a more definitive Donkey-like appearance, with the obvious exception of inheriting the Uniquely-striped pattern on Their fur from Zebra Their parent. Zonkeys growing niche to be either tan, brown or gray in color with a lighter Underside, and it is on the lighter parts of Their body like Their legs and belly where the Zonkey's darker stripes are most prominent (They are much harder to see on the Darker parts). The Zonkey also has a black mane the which extends along the ridge of Their back to the tip if Their black tail, and a large head and ears Zonkey the which makes the look much more like a Donkey than a Zebra.

 
Zonkey Distribution and Habitat
Out of the three species of Zebra That are found living on the African continent, two are found in Eastern Africa whilst the other is found in more southern regions. Generally preferring to Inhabit Savannas and open woodlands throughout Their historical range, Zebras are Often found in enormous herds on the Serengeti plains particularly where They migrate Thousands of miles Following the Rains That bring new grass. Some are also found in close proximity to human settlements where They are known to have to Compete with domestic livestock, Such as Donkeys, for food. It is in these areas where Zonkeys are most Likely to be produced naturally in the wild as it Gives the two separate species, the opportunity to mate. Sadly however, the world's Zonkeys growing niche to be found in zoos and animal institutions Generally where They are deliberately Bred.

 Zonkey Behaviour and Lifestyle
Despite being very similar animals both in appearance and behavior, one of the biggest differences is that? Between the two Donkeys unlike the which have been domesticated by Humans for Thousands of years, Zebras REMAIN to be wild animals and therefore have a naturally more aggressive nature. Along with Their stripes, the other thing Zonkeys That seem to inherit from Their Zebra Their parent is wild streak as They too are known to be fairly aggressive towards other animals Humans and Sometimes. One of the most favorable characteristics Zonkey's Their sheer power is the which is made up of the stamina of the Donkey mixed with the speed and strength of the Zebra, the which has led to them being used as work animals to pull heavy loads Mainly.

Zonkey Reproduction and Life Cycles
For a Zonkey to be produced, a male Zebra must have mated with a male Donkey (if the parents are the other way round the offspring is known as a Zedonk). After a gestation period can last for That more than a year, the female Donkey Gives birth to a single foal Zonkey that, like Zebra and Donkey foals is Able to stand up just minutes after birth. The foal would Zonkey Generally REMAIN with it's mother until it was Between five and six months old when it would Become independent and join another herd. This kind of behavior however, actually Happens slightly later with Zebra foals as They can take up to four years to leave the herd. Numerous hybrid Like other animals, the Zonkey Itself can not Produce offspring of it's own, as the cross-breeding of two different species Often results in their being young and sterile Unable to continue a population.
 
 
Zonkey Diet and Prey
Like Donkeys, Zebras, Horses and Their other relatives, are herbivorous animals Zonkeys meaning That They survive on a diet solely comprised of That is plant matter. The majority of Their food is made up of grasses and herbs grow on the ground That and like all equines, the Zonkey has flat, broad teeth the which are the perfect tools for grinding down the fibrous grass. Along with grazing, Zonkeys also like to browse for other types of food Including fruits and berries growing the which are found more commonly in less arid areas. Due to the fact That Zonkeys are naturally found in the African wilderness there is always competition for both food and water from other animals inhabiting the same area and so They are always on the move in search of Greener pastures.

Zonkey Predators and Threats
Despite Their large size and the fact That They are long-living animals, both Zebras and Donkeys (and therefore Zonkeys) are Important prey to carnivores throughout Numerous Their natural range. Lions and Hyenas are Their most common predators, along with African Hunting Dogs and large felines like Leopards and Cheetahs. Even though They REMAIN a stable food source for these large predators, Often They are hard to catch and particularly Zebras are known to protect Wounded individuals to Prevent them from being hurt any more. Although rarer today, one of the biggest threats to both Zebras and Donkeys in Africa has been the fact That They have been subjected to hunting for both meat and Their Their skins. They are also being pushed into more isolated regions of the natural habitats meaning a Decrease in the likelihood of wild Zonkeys.

 
Zonkey Interesting Facts and Features
Although Often we only think of Donkeys as being domesticated animals, wild herds of Donkeys can still be found living on the continent and in herds up to 100 strong in northern Africa, but this is an area inhabited by That Is not Zebras and so the chances of a Zonkey occurring under these conditions would be extremely rare. Zonkeys Mentioned by naturalists have been Centuries Including Darwin for the WHO Mentioned possibility of a fertile female Zonkey That was being exhibited at the London Zoo. The Zonkey is thought to be a popular animal work as They have an apparent resistance to pests and diseases Certain, something the which is thought to have been Inherited from Zebra Their father.

 Zonkey Relationship with Humans
Originally Bred by Humans to pull heavy loads and thought to have Appeared in zoos in the 19th century, the first Zonkey really Became famous when one was accidentally sired in Colchester Zoo in the 1970s, and They have since continued to exhibit as a popular tourist Zonkeys attraction. Along with now being Bred in zoos around the world, are also Zonkeys Bred for riding and as work animals INVOLVED in transport and pulling heavy loads due to Their strength and stamina. In the wild in Africa however, Zebras have come under particular threat from people due both hunting and loss of habitat for growing human settlements or land clearance for agriculture.

 
Zonkey Conservation Status and Life Today
Due to the fact That the Zonkey is a cross-Bred animal and that 'it can not continue a population, it is not listed by the IUCN. The three Zebra species, though all are listed with the Plains Zebra as Least Concern, the Mountain Zebra as Vulnerable and the Grevy's Zebra as Endangered. This means That the chances of Zonkeys occurring in the wild are slimmer and slimmer Becoming, with the majority of them today found in zoos and used as work animals.

Zonkey Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: equid
Genus: Equus
Scientific Name: Equus zebra Equus acini x
Common Name: Zonkey
Other Name (s): Zedonk, Zebrass, Zenkey
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 1
Location: Africa, Zoos
Habitat: Savanna and open woodland
Colour: Brown, Tan, Grey
Skin Type: Fur
Size (H): 1m - 1.5m (3.5ft - 5ft)
Weight: 227kg - 318kg (500lb - 700lbs)
Top Speed: 54kph (35mph)
Diet: Herbivore
Prey: Grasses, Herbs, Fruit
Predators: Lion, Hyena, Leopard
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Herd
Life Span: 15-25 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years
Gestation Period: 12 months
Average Litter Size: 0
Name Of Young: Foal
Of Weaning Age: 5-10 months
Conservation Status: None
Estimated Population Size: Not known
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss and commercial breeding
Most Distinctive Feature: Unique stripes on belly and legs Darkest
Fun Fact: The offspring of parents Zebra and Donkey!

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