What do you get if you cross two different species? Depending upon the species, you might end up with a grolar bear, a wolfdog,
or a Savannah cat, among many others. What do these animals have in common? They're hybrids. Sometimes hybrids happen naturally in the wild, but usually, hybrids are the result of humans selectively breeding animals.
Grolar bears and pizzlies are the result of crossing polar bears and grizzly bears. These hybrids were first seen in zoos, as the bears' natural habitats did not normally overlap. Recently, these hybrids have started appearing in the wild. Due to climate change, the bears' once-separate habitats are beginning to overlap. Bigger and more aggressive than their parents, grolar bears and pizzlies could pose a risk to natural habitats and humans.
Wolfdogs are, as their name suggests, the result of crossing a wolf with a domestic dog. Bred for the pet trade, these hybrids do not often happen in the wild. Wolfdogs do not make good pets, however, as they can be destructive and aggressive. Many states have outlawed keeping wolfdogs because they can pose a danger to people.
Savannah cats are another example of human-made hybrids that were developed to be pets. Savannahs are the result of crossing a small wildcat called a serval with a domestic housecat. They look like miniature versions of the wildcat, which is why many people like keeping them as pets. Like the wolfdog, however, Savannahs do not make ideal house pets. They can be destructive, and usually, they keep the wild nature of the serval.
There are many more examples of human-made hybrid animals. Some hybrids, such as the mule, have been helpful to humans. Unfortunately, others, like the wolfdog or Savannah cat, should not have been made in the first place.
According to the text, why are bear hybrids being seen in the wild?
Grolar bears and pizzlies could pose a risk to natural habitats and humans.
These hybrids were first seen in zoos, as the bears' natural habitats did not normally overlap.
Grolar bears and pizzlies are the result of crossing polar bears and grizzly bears.
Due to climate change, the bears' once-separate habitats are beginning to overlap.
