Missouri State Mammal
Mule (common name) Equus caballus + Equus asinus (scientific name) Overview Mules are the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey, so they’re hybrid animals without a unique scientific name. (The offspring of a female donkey and a male horse is called a "hinny" and is more difficult to breed than a mule.) They are valued as work animals and considered longer-lived, more tolerant, and more stable on their feet than horses. They are also thought to be faster, smarter, and more tractable than donkeys. Mules were first brought to Missouri in the 1820s, where they were much used by both pioneers and farmers. Missouri became an important producer of mules, and the mule was made the state animal in 1995.   Close-up STATUS Official State Animal PHYSICAL DETAILS Generally, mules have short, thick heads with long ears and thin legs with narrow, relatively small hooves. Their manes are short. All these characteristics make mules similar to donkeys. They have tougher skin than horses, and are more resistant to bad weather conditions. However, a mule’s size and physical characteristics depend largely on its mother’s color and size. A mule’s overall height, body size and shape, neck and croup shape, coat, and teeth are horse-like and depend on what type of horse the mother was. Because of this, mules come in a range of shapes and sizes. Depending on their parentage, mules can resemble ponies, quarter horses, draft horses, racehorses, and others. Most mules are grey, brown, or black, though other colors are possible.    Males Females Size Height at shoulder 47–59 in (1.2–1.5 m) Height at shoulder 47–59 in (1.2–1.5 m) Weight median 800–1,000 lbs (363–454 kg) median 800–1,000 lbs (363–454 kg) LIFESPAN 15-20 years HABITAT Grasslands and pastures Range: Throughout the U.S. Conservation status: Least Concern BEHAVIOR Mules are bred by humans and work or carry things for people, so much of their behavior is dictated by the people who own and work them. Mules can carry up to 158 lbs (72 kg) and walk 16 miles (26 km) without stopping to rest. Mules generally need less food than horses of similar size. Very rarely, a female mule may be fertile and can produce offspring if she mates with a horse or donkey that is purebred. There have been a little over 60 such cases in the last 500 years. Mule stallions are never fertile. Top land speed recorded: 15 mph (24 kmh) DIET Grasses, grains, and vegetables. Mules are generally fed a diet similar to that of horses or donkeys, though breeders may vary food proportions depending on what type of work is planned for a given animal. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: None; mules are almost universally sterile. Birthing period: Year-round Average litter size: 1 foal Size at birth: 100 lbs (45 kg) TRIVIA Most mules are bred for a particular purpose. Oversized draft mules—with the strength of a draft horse and a mule’s tolerance for heat and short commons—come from breeding draft horses such as Belgians to Mammoth jack mules. Racing mules come from thoroughbred mares, and trail mules may be born from Appaloosas, quarter horses, or paint horses. Mules and hinnies, which have an uneven 63 chromosomes, are both almost always sterile because the two parent species have different numbers of chromosomes. Horses have 64 chromosomes, but donkeys have only 62. It’s possible to tell a donkey from a mule by examining the tail. A donkey's tail has a tuft of hair at the very end, like a cow’s tail. A mule's tail has hair from top to bottom, just like a horse’s tail.
	Click to enlarge an image Missouri Mule Missouri Mule at Work CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Species: E. caballus + E. asinus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Missouri State Mammal
Missouri Fox Trotting Horse (common name) Equus ferus caballus (scientific name) Overview The Missouri fox trotting horse was developed in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri in the early 19th century. This horse was selectively bred from Morgans, Arabians, thoroughbreds, standardbreds, Tennessee walkers, and American saddlebreds brought from neighboring states. This horse’s unique, four-beat fox trot, which gave the breed its name, was desired for its maneuverability on the rocky terrain of the Ozark region. The Missouri fox trotting horse quickly became a favorite of landowners, ranch hands, sheriffs, country doctors, and others who spent much time on horseback on this type of land. A product of the mountains, today the Missouri fox trotting horse remains prized for its surefootedness on hilly terrain. This breed is also favored for its rhythmic gait, which provides a smooth, comfortable ride for both horse and rider. In addition to its popularity as a trail and utility horse, this breed is also used for hunting, ranching, long-distance trail riding, and mountain trekking. The Missouri fox trotting horse is also popular with forest rangers and others who ride horses for long periods of time on mountainous or forested terrain. Close-up STATUS Official State Horse ALSO KNOWN AS Missouri fox trotter PHYSICAL DETAILS While chestnut is most common, the Missouri fox trotting horse is seen in all solid colors, and may also be spotted. Horses of this breed normally have strong, muscular hind legs; wide chests; and slender bodies. This breed is known to carry its head high. Size: Adults are generally 14–16 hands (56–64 inches/141–163 cm) high. Weight: Adults range in weight from 1,000 to 1,200 pounds (455 to 550 kg). LIFESPAN 25–30 years HABITAT Missouri fox trotting horses are found worldwide. Today there are more than 42,000 registered Missouri fox trotters located in the United States and Canada. Another 52,000 registered horses of this breed live in Austria, Germany, and other countries. BEHAVIOR A horse’s behavior—including when and where it breeds, what it eats, where it lives, and many of its regular activities—is closely controlled by humans. The Missouri fox trotting horse is known for its comfortable gait, gentle demeanor, stamina, and adaptability, making it a popular breed for pleasure and trail riding. Because this breed causes little jarring to riders and has a quiet disposition, it is considered an excellent choice for beginning riders. DIET Most horses only need quality forage, water, and a salt or mineral block. Grain or other concentrates are often not necessary. Horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture. An adult horse can eat up to 25 pounds (11 kg) of dry feed daily. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Yearly Birthing period: 335–340 days Average litter size: 1 foal Foal height: At the withers, a foal has 60 percent of its mature height at birth. TRIVIA The history of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association dates back to 1948 when the breed registry first started. Today the organization, located in Ava, Missouri, maintains the registry and has opened a hall of fame to the public. It also sponsors a Three-Year-Old Futurity Show and six-day Celebration Show every year. Due to this breed’s history in Missouri, the state legislature designated the Missouri fox trotting horse the official state horse in 2002.
	Click to enlarge an image Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Missouri's State Horse CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Species: E. ferus Subspecies: E. f. caballus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press