Inbreeding | Definition, Effects & Examples

Inbreeding in animals basically means mating relatives—siblings, parents‑offspring, cousins, etc. When that happens, a few things tend to show up: - *Hidden genetic problems surface*: recessive genes that were masked get paired up, so you see more birth defects, weak immune systems, or higher disease rates. - *Fertility drops*: litters or claws become smaller, and sometimes the animals can’t reproduce at all. - *Growth and performance slow down*: the offspring often put on less weight, produce l