A mule is a hybrid created by crossing which two animals?

A mule is specifically the offspring of a female horse (mare) and a male donkey (jack). This hybridization results in an animal that typically exhibits desirable traits from both parent species, such as the strength and endurance of the donkey and the agility and size of the horse. Mules are renowned for their intelligence, sure-footedness, and ability to carry heavy loads, which makes them valuable working animals.

While the other options reference horses and donkeys, they do not accurately describe the specific pairing that creates a mule. The terms stallion (male horse) and mare (female horse) refer to different combinations that do not produce a mule, while the option that lists a jack with a mare is not correct since it describes a donkey and horse pairing in the reverse order. Therefore, the identification of the correct pairing as a mare and jack is fundamental to understanding how mules are conceived and what characteristics they inherit.