Q: Are mules considered an actual “Species?”

A: No. Mules are NOT a species, they are a HYBRID between two species - 1. Equus assinus (the donkey) and 2. Equus caballus (the horse).

A species is usually defined as a group of animals that can easily reproduce or replicate itself (like a donkey or a horse), and since the mule cannot readily do this, it thus knocks itself out of "species" contention.

If you must come up with an approximation of a Latin name for the mule, Equus mulis has been used. However, the correct scientific classification is still "Hybrid" ~ (Equus assinus x Equus caballus).

(This Page last updated: August 25, 2001)