A mule is known as a hybrid, which is a fancy way of saying an animal or plant produced from two animals or plants of different kinds. A mule is a mix between a male donkey and a female horse. Mules have been bred by humans for centuries because mules are stronger than horses and have more endurance than donkeys. These attributes make them perfect for doing hard work. Ancient Egyptians used mules to pull wagons. Mules are also important to the development of the United States. The animals hauled heavy loads for a variety of reasons. Some helped with the westward expansion as America grew and even more assisted soldiers in battles. During the Civil War, mules hauled artillery and supplies. In World War II, mules carried food and other supplies to soldiers in terrain vehicles couldn’t cross. They even carried wounded soldiers to safety. Mules stayed useful to the U.S. Army far longer than horses did. The last time mules were used by the military was in the 1980s in Afghanistan, and it was to move around in the harsh mountainous environment. These animals are known to be intelligent and agile, and they have incredible stamina. This is what makes them so valuable.
Interesting Facts About Mules!
• On wagon trains, mules can cover more than 30 miles a day.
• Horses and oxen can only cover five miles a day.
• The Union army used about 1 million mules.
• Mules in World War I hauled wagons that weighed 2,000 pounds and were loaded with 3,000 pounds of cargo.
• Mules were also used to build roads, railways andtelephone lines.
• Teams of mules pulled the first jet engine in the U.S. space program to the testing site.
• Mules eat a third less than horses.
• George Washington brought mules to America.
• Mules need less direction from drivers than horses do.
• The Marine Corps Mountain Training Center still provides U.S. military pack animal training.
• Mules are also known for sensing ambushes before soldiers do.
• Mules move slowly along bad terrain, but they can cover worse terrain than any other pack animal and many vehicles.