SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (MyFoxBoston.com)— A secret romance between a goat and sheep at an Arizona petting zoo led to the birth to a geep, a rare breed between a goat and a sheep.
North Scottsdale petting zoo owner Priscilla Motola was surprised by the birth of the geep, named Butterfly, because she did not know Momma, the sheep, was pregnant or involved with Michael, the goat.
Momma and Michael shared a pen with several other goats and pigs.
Momma gave birth to Butterfly last Sunday. Motola first thought Butterfly was a sheep because she had a wool. However, she also had goat-like feet and face. After some research, Motola discovered Butterfly was a geep.
Geeps are usually stillborn because goats and sheep have different numbers of chromosomes. Butterfly beat the odds and is a healthy geep.
Momma and Butterfly currently live in their own pen because the other goats became aggressive towards Butterfly.