There was rumor going around that people have seen squabitts. I did not believe this but the other day I saw a squirell with a very short tail and it was hopping like a rabbit it also had larger hind legs.
2007-01-07 17:22:57 · 6 answers · asked by Jess 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Though I agree with the first poster, I feel I must elaborate a bit...
Though there are differing definitions concerning what a species is (see first two links), the most basic one (and most applicable here) concerns an organisms reproductive incompatibility with another. This division results from a variety of factors including pre- and post-zygotic barriers (see third link):
Prezygotic barriers refer to those that prevent the organisms from even meeting (or physically copulating), there are 5: geographic isolation, habitat isolation, temporal isolation, behavioral isolation, and mechanical incompatibility
The 3 Postzygotic barriers affect the developing (hybrid) zygote: hybrid abnormality (usually aborts - this includes the chromosome number incompatability), hybrid infertility (think mules, they can't have offspring), low hybrid viability (think hinnys, they are less desireable than mules)
Humans can overcome most prezygotic barriers (even mechanical - through artificial insemination) for many animals (Ligers, for instance, would never be seen in the wild as tigers and lions don't live together) but we are limited by postzygotic barriers, (mules are artificially bred as well, and we got lucky there), usually the most common postzygotic barrier (abnormality) abort the offspring early on.
Rabbits and squirrels do not interbreed naturally, and I am currently unfamiliar with any rabbit/squirrel breeding programs (nor can I think of any advantages for one).
The squirrel you describe seems normal enough (they have longer hind legs) and likely just lost its tail in a fight (pretty common actually)
2007-01-08 07:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by cavedonkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, squirrels and rabbits cannot breed. They belong to different species. This has to do with biology and the number of chromosomes in their cells.
You probably saw a squirrel that had an accident and lost part of its tail. Squirrels hop sometimes and their back legs are a little longer than their front legs, just like your legs are longer than your arms.
2007-01-08 01:26:38 · answer #2 · answered by CAROL P 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why on earth do you want to play God or Dr.Frankenstein and create a Scrabbit???That woulld be one messed up looking,jumpy,twitching animal.Would you like someone to force you to breed with a Kangaroo?I didn't think so.This is why the world is going to be messed up.Don't play with mother nature.If i ever see an over grown king kong sized squirll with big ears and a cotton tail trying to take down Japan,I will know it was you.Go get a hobby,something safe like collecting stamps.
2007-01-08 01:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i guess anything is possible, but most likely the squirell had some genetic mutations, giving it a shorter tail and larger legs. maybe the creature was an entirely different creature?
2007-01-08 01:27:04 · answer #4 · answered by vannunu4 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope, though both of them are rodents they are too different species. it has something to do with chromosomes,
In the case of a lion and a tiger is breed possible 'cause they are close species. The result can be a "tigon" or maybe a "lioger"
2007-01-08 01:51:21 · answer #5 · answered by QQ dri lu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, im not exactly sure WHY you want to know, but naturally, I doubt theyed mate, it's just not natural, but if some scientist messed with it.....
2007-01-08 01:33:31 · answer #6 · answered by andy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋