It’s fascinating to think how crossbreds are essentially the legos of the natural world;
only instead of plastic bricks and toy blocks, different animals mixed and matched until
something far more interesting, eye-catching, and fun to play finally takes shape.
But much like these overprice lego blocks, crossbreeding generally does not come without a cost.
Artificial selection, otherwise referred to as selective breeding, is a rather convenient
way of phrasing our ability as human beings to proactively shape the evolution of other
animal life forms to serve our preferences, curiosity, and often times entertainment.
So in this video, we are going to talk about several popular crossbreeds that despite their domestic prominence,
suffer from mutations that have negatively affected their evolution.
Number 1: Large Tail Han Sheep
Also referred to as Fat Tailed Sheep, the Large Tail Han Sheep is a domestic Mongolian
sheep that is best known for its excessively large tails and hind quarters.
Basically, this sheep got back.
It is widely believed that the Large Tail Han Sheep was originally developed in the
agricultural regions of Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu Provinces.
Today, this sheep is most commonly raised in the Northern parts of Africa, the Middle
East, and parts of Central Asia.
The distinctive physical profile of the the Large Tail Han Sheep is specifically designed
by professional crossbreeders to keep most of the fat of the animal localized
in their tails.
The purpose of localizing the sheep’s fat store is to make it rather convenient for
people to harvest the fat as cooking oil after the sheep is dead.
Despite being tough and durable, the unique physical features of the Large Tail Sheep
has made it suitable only to the plains.
With an oversized tail weighing as heavy as 25kgs, the sheep now has a difficult
time moving around during grazing.
Number 2: Dong Tao Chicken
The Dong Tao Chicken, fondly called as Dragon Chicken, is a domesticated fowl crossbreed
that is most recognizable for its unproportionately oversized feet.
This crossbreed got its name from the town where it is believed to have originated from---the
small provincial village of Dong Tao in Vietnam.
Due to its limited numbers, the Dong Tao chicken is one of the rarest domesticated chicken
breeds in the world.
Prized for its delicious meat, the chicken was once only bred exclusively for
the consumption of royal families.
To this day, the Dong Tao Chicken remains a rarity because of the notorious difficulty
that is involved in breeding them.
The high demand for the meat coupled with its
short supply, has allows it, as a commodity, to command an unreasonably high price:
$2,500 USD
Today, the chicken is now mostly raised by professional chicken breeders.
And still, much like the in the olden times, its meat can only cater to the wealthy and
luxury restaurants where it is almost exclusively served.
Number 3: Damascene Goat
The Damascene Goat, also known as the Damascus Goat, regularly claims the title of “The
Most Beautiful Goat” in Middle Eastern goat pageants, which are very popular in the region.
Yes, I am serious.
And yes, this goat supports world peace.
The Damascene Goat is a breed that is native to the Middle East.
Today, it is most prominently raised in Cyprus, Lebanon, and Syria.
Sometime in the 19th century, the British introduced the breed to Cyprus where it picked up the name Damascus Goat.
This goat became so popular a breed that it is prominently referenced in a number of classical
works in Arabic Literature.
Now the thing is, it is not unheard of for professional goat breeders to breed Damascene Goat specifically
for acquiring its many pronounced physical trait.
The Damascene Goat is best known for its short and snubbed nose, and its undershot jaws.
If anything, the physical mutations of the the Damascene Goat is rather similar to that
of the Bulldog.
The mutation that is responsible for the facial contortions of the Damascene Goat has yet
to be fully understood.
But apart from its unique cosmetic traits, the goat
is also utilized for its milk and meat production.
Number 4: Gibber Italicus Canary
Bird breeding methods, over the years, have progressed to the point where it has allowed
breeders to practically control everything about the bird---from shaping their skeletal
formation, to manipulating their feather color, density, and softness., to modulating their
natural birdsong.
The Gibber Italicus Canary is exactly the result of such bird breeding methods.
This canary is a product of intensive close inbreeding efforts made by
Italian breeders.
Much like most inbred crossbreeds, this canary is prone to inbreeding depression that typically
results to a host of health problems, including compromised fertility, high offspring mortality,
and a shorter lifespan.
The Gibber Italicus is considered to be among the most fragile canaries in the world.
It is specifically bred by bird hobbyist and breeders who appreciate, for some reason,
this canary eye-catching humpbacked body, balding head, and skinny profile.
To enthusiasts of this bird breed, the ideal Gibber Italicus Canary possesses a figure
seven shaped body, long stiff legs, and unfeathered breastbone area.
So maybe these guys are a huge fan of the hunchback in Notre Dame? I don't know.
Number 5: Bubble Eye Goldfish
People and goldfish, they go way back.
For the longest time, the goldfish has been an aquarium staple.
Having been specifically cultivated for purposes of ornamentation, the goldfish has undergone
countless crossbreeding that it now comes in different shapes, and sizes---one of the strangest
of which comes in the form of the Bubble Eye Goldfish.
It took many years of selective breeding and genetic tinkering to craft the distinctive
appearance of the Bubble Eye Goldfish.
Like its' name suggest, this goldfish is most recognizable for its grossly oversized, fluid-filled
sacs that bubble under its eyes.
These sacs or eye bubbles are known to occasionally deflate, and even burst.
Among those considered as good specimens are with clean, unmarked back, and eye bubbles
that closely match, both in color and size.
Apart from its distinct eye bubble, the Bubble Eye Goldfish is unmistakable for its malformed,
upward-turned eyes, and irregularly curved spine, and lack of dorsal fins.
This breed of fish are abnormally fragile, even within carefully controlled environments.
Their eye bubbles are incredibly delicate and any contact with other fish can burst them.
So in conclusion,
Through various selective breeding methods, professional crossbreeders has long acquired
the ability to pinpoint and encourage specific traits in animals which they find appealing.
Conversely, crossbreeding also has allowed us to eliminate specific characteristics in
animals that we don’t particularly care for.
Despite the number of widely popular crossbreds, from American bulldogs to Savannah Cats, what
remains relatively unknown to many people is the fact that it doesn’t take much qualification
to start messing around with the otherwise natural evolution of animals.
And eventually, what's to say we are going to stop with animals?
Let's mess with humans as well.
We are already doing that. We have designer babies coming out.
That the parents can choose the sex and the eye color.
I mean its good that, okay maybe eventually we can eliminate certain diseases from ever occurring in our offspring.
I mean, theoretically that's good.
But I feel like eventually when this science does apply very generally to human beings,
we're just going to try out do one and another in creating the perfect baby.
But is that really part of natural selection?
I don't think so but let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Thank you all so much for watching this video. I'll see you later.