Concept in Definition ABC

This animal mammal quadruped belongs to the family equidae and the genus equus, such as the horse, the donkey, the donkey or the zebra. It is a hybrid species, since it is born after the crossing of a mare and a donkey or a donkey. When the cross is between a horse and a donkey the hybrid resulting is a hinny.

As for his physiology Y appearanceIt has a head similar to that of a donkey, but its size, rump and coat are very similar to that of a horse. Unlike the hinny, the mule is larger. From an aesthetic point of view it is more like a donkey than a horse. Like most species, the male is larger than the female.

Curiosities

Although it is stated that it is a sterile animal, it is actually semi-sterile, since the males do not have offspring but the females do have fertile eggs in some individuals.

It is an animal that has historically adapted to human needs. Due to its strength and resistance, man has used it in field activities, especially to plow the lands of

culture. It has also been used as a pack animal in hard-to-reach areas or to move water mills. Its hard hooves make this animal adapt to clay soils.

The characteristic sound of this species is a combination of the neighing of the horse and the braying of the donkey.

This animal does not normally have a good relationship with dogs and when the dog barks the mule is very likely to respond with a kick.

In agricultural areas of the United States this species has been highly valued. In this sense, George Washington himself promoted the breeding of mules.

In popular culture

The animal world is very present in everyday language. In relation to the mule its physical characteristics and its temperament have generated some expressions. Thus, if someone is especially stubborn, he is said to be "more stubborn than a mule."

In a humorous sense it is said that someone with great physical strength "is made a mule" (it should be noted that the word mule in Spanish is used colloquially to refer to a strong person).

In Spain the phrase "do the mule" means to be lazy, that is, to behave in a lazy way.

The phrase "in the mule of San Francisco" indicates that someone moves from one place to another walking slowly.

Finally, in some Latin American countries, a mule is someone who smuggles drugs on a small scale. scale.

Fotolia photo: A7880SS

Themes in Mula