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This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Vincent in Kenya.
本期《名师答疑》，我们回答来自肯尼亚的文森特的一个问题。
He asks about the difference between two similar animals.
他问这两个相似的动物之间有什么不同。
Here is the question: What is the difference between a mule and a horse?
问题如下：骡子和马有什么区别？
Kindly help with the above.
感谢您对以上问题的解答。
Regards, Vincent.
祝好，文森特。
Hi, Vincent! That is a great question.
嗨，文森特！这是一个很好的问题。
I did not know the answer until I did some research on the internet.
直到我在网上查了些资料，我才知道答案。
I learned that these two animals are, in fact, family: A mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey.
我了解到，这两种动物实际上是一家人：骡子是母马和公驴的后代。
Physically, mules are smaller than most horses but larger than donkeys.
从体型上看，骡子比大多数马小，但比驴大。
They have bodies shaped like horses but have the long ears of donkeys.
它们的身体形状像马，但耳朵像驴一样长。
Both horses and mules have been historically used for carrying or pulling heavy loads.
在历史上，马和骡子都曾被用来搬运或拖拉重物。
But horses are often used for riding, racing and other sports.
但马经常被用于骑马、赛马和其他运动。
Mules are known as work animals because of their ability to carry a lot of weight over long distances.
骡子被称为工作动物，因为它们能够长距离负重。
Horses and mules are both very strong animals.
马和骡子都是非常强壮的动物。
But mules are stronger for their size and have better physical endurance.
但骡子的体型更强壮，身体耐力也更好。
They can also survive extreme weather, are thought to be more patient than horses and usually live longer.
它们还能在极端天气中生存，被认为比马更有耐心，寿命也更长。
In the second part of the 1900s, industrialized nations reduced their use of mules to transport heavy loads.
在20世纪后半期，工业化国家逐渐不再使用骡子来运输重物。
But mules still perform this work in some roadless areas of the western United States.
但骡子仍然在美国西部一些没有道路的地区从事这项工作。
Mules are also used for outdoor activities, such as carrying supplies for hikers and helping mountain climbers bring equipment to base camps.
骡子还用于户外活动，比如为徒步旅行者运送物资，帮助登山者将装备带到露营地。
And that's Ask a Teacher. I'm Alice Bryant.
这就是本期《名师答疑》。爱丽丝·布莱恩特为您播报。
