Maltese Shoats

[boxers]

Can anybody give me info on sheep x goats during 1940-1947,in Malta, I think they were named"Shoats" a picture would be a bonus Please
Jenny Livy.

[SCLMCNR]

Hi, sorry I can't help with your original query - however there was a picture of a "gosh" in yesterdays daily mail - don't know if this may have any relevance for you

[boxers]

to SCLMCNR. Thanks for that, it was that picture that promted my brother to say he had seen these "Shoats" as they were then called in Malta while in in the Navy,but his wife thinks he is making up! So want prook to exonerate him!

[divegirl]

Found this.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/813466.stm

It tells of a sheep/goat hybrid......not in Malta though
;p[

Lisa x

[boxers]

Thank Lisa. Will pass on your findings to my brother. Regards Jenny Livy.

[Clanad]

Since goats have 60 chromosomes and sheep have 54, I'd be highly sceptical of any live birth off spring as the results of such cross breeding. This isn't to suggest that breeding as such couldn't occur, it's just that any viable offspring of such have rarely been documented, to my knowledge...
There are very small, goat like sheep native to several Mediterranean Islands, including Malta. These are known as Mouflon Sheep.
A case of suspected interbreeding has been noted in Kenya, but it's extremely rare, if factual. And, as with most hybrids (most notably, mules) will prove to be infertile... seen here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/813466.stm ...

[boxers]

Thanks Clanad. I think I will let it rest there. Jenny Livy