Where the Heck Did Those Darn Easter Bunnies Come From?

Just in case you are wondering Germany is considered the birthplace of the concept of Easter Bunny.  The very first (edible) Easter Bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800's. 

They were initially baked pastry bunnies that came with a few gummy candies shaped like eggs (which by the way is where we get the idea of jelly beans from). Parents were encourage to place these edible rabbit treats in straw nests and hide them in secluded areas throughout the house and outside in the garden - weather permitting - for their children to find. 

Now even more interesting is the fact that in ancient Egypt, the rabbit was recognized as a symbol of fertility and renewal. This Egyptian belief of the rabbit quickly spread to the Greeks and then later to the Romans who ultimately shared the idea of the rabbit as the symbol of life throughout their empire and with the rest of Europe.

Surprisingly, about the same time, the Celts and early nomadic hunters of northern Europe began to celebrate their own very special festival – the festival of Eastre.  Eastre {a pagan} goddess associated with the beginning of springtime. Eastre’s symbol just so happened to be the rabbit - the most fertile animal known to man and symbol of constant new life.

Now when Europeans emigrated to Australia they quickly found there were no rabbits on their new continent and immediately had them brought over from Europe to raise - rabbits would ensure a healthy and steady supply of fresh meat during the harsh Australian winters.

The rabbits brought into Australia did their rabbit duty and began to producing new rabbits - to many rabbits. So many in fact that they became a significant problem for the Australian ranchers and farmers. So the Australian people with the approval of the government began a systematic program to eradicate the large herds of wild rabbits roaming the Australian outback.

Unfortunately having the rabbit as the symbol of the Easter celebration was not a good idea for may Australians - and who felt bad about all the rabbit killing taking place.  So the Australian people created a new symbol for Easter - the Bilby.  The Bilby is an endangered Australian animal that looks similar to a rabbit it. 

Therefore in today in Australia you will find plenty of chocolate Easter Bilby candies and all kinds of Easter Bilby cards – but no Chocolate Easter Bunnies no mention of the Easter Bunny!

Food for Thought

Jack-O-Lopes … Fact, Fiction or Legend?

Here are some interesting thoughts to

ponder.  Take a few minutes read this

article and share your opinion. 

Every culture across the globe has legends; legends that persist because some are based on fact and others because so many people in that culture believe in those legends.

Amazingly many of the legends around the world involve animals.  All animals described in legends are called cryptids. a word from ancient Greece - specifically the Greek word krypton - which means “hiding” or “to hide”. 

Scientists refer to legendary animals as cryptids because they have no solid physical evidence to support that they ever existed.  None have ever been captured and they can't find sufficient fossil remains.

Examples of cryptid creatures are numerous. For instance in Tibet there is well established legend regarding the Yeti - better know as the Abominable Snowman. The yeti is a mysterious bipedal creature {bi pedal basically means it walks on two legs upright like a man}. For years the Yeti has been reported to seen roaming the snowy peaks of the Himalaya mountains.

Also in Scotland there is a legendary creature known as the Loch Ness monster.  Nessy as it is affectionately called is said to be an aquatic monster.  Many believe it is some sort of prehistoric water based dinosaur that some how survived extinction by living deep beneath the surface of Loch Ness, the deepest loch in Scotland.  Though it has not been confirmed many sat it has underground channels that lead to the north sea.

In Latin America there is the amazing animal known as the Chupacabra – a fierce pig-like dog that farmers and plantation owners have had numerous encounters with.  The Chupacabras destroy crops and kill livestock during their nocturnal foraging activities. Reports surfaced in early 2004 that the Chupacabras had migrated northward and entered many areas of southern Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

But the best example of a cryptid in the north America is Bigfoot. Stories of Bigfoot {or a ape like man} have been reported for centuries in the United States and Canada.  Native American tribes and the early pioneers who traveled westward in their Conestoga wagons on the Santa Fe and Oregon trails all recount tales of Bigfoot.  Even today, hunters and fishermen from Wyoming, Idaho, Washington State, Oregon and Northern California often file reports with their state and local government authorities saying they saw a hairy ape like creature in the dense wooded forests along the mountain ridges.

Because we raise Rabbits here at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch, it only natural I think that we often get asked - mostly by school aged children - to confirm the legend(s) of the Jack-O-Lopes. All I can honestly say is that twenty years ago I would have said there is absolutely no such creature at a Jack-O-Lope - the large rabbit like creature with antlers. I would have dismissed it as a fairy tale; however, today I am no longer really sure.

After having attended hundreds of rabbit conventions, livestock trade shows and breeder conferences across the country, I heard so many Jack-O-Lope stories; that I can no longer discount them as false.  Today I can't say for sure that Jack‑O‑Lopes did not - or do not - exist.

Here are a few things I've learned since I started raising rabbit.  First the official name for the north American Jack-O-Lope is the Americanus Delicioso Conjo Carne. Just read the information below and decide for yourself if Jack-O-Lopes actually did exist or whether they still inhabit unpopulated areas of western America today.

First and foremost, fossilized remains of what appear to be an antlered or horned rabbit type creature have been found in all of the lower 48 states as well as in Alaska (but not Hawaii).

Second, libraries and major universities in both Spain and France contain hand-written reports from Spanish conquistadors and French fur traders who traveled to the new world. All these reports on file chronicle what these early explorers believed were encounters with large horned rabbit-like creatures in the new world. All these describe how men on these early expeditions were afraid after seeing “vast herds of hopping, long eared, horned creatures”.

Third, twenty-nine native North American tribes to this day from Kansas to California have detailed folklore which they pass down from generation to generation referring to “the great rabbit with antlers”. Amazingly each year, many Native American cultures perform annual rituals and ceremonies to give thanks to these 'hopping horned creatures' who helped and protected their ancestors.

Fourth (and this blew me away), when members of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition party which was authorized by President Andrew Jackson in 1804 returned back to Washington DC, three years later, the men on this expedition all shared identical, detailed accounts of large herds of hopping horned creatures. The majority of these first-hand accounts of sighting these creatures occurred along what we now call the Missouri and Colorado rivers in the far western half of the American continent.

Now here is what it really gets weird. During both the 19th and 20th centuries, just about every American elementary school student was taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. We now however know this is not true. Archaeologists have assembled a preponderance of evidence that suggests Asian and Polynesian seafarers made routine visits to the west coasts of both South and North America. Pottery, metal objects, skeletons and weapons from Pacific Island based cultures have been found from British Columbia all the way south to the tip of Chile {or Cape Horn}. 

Likewise, there is irrefutable archaeological proof that Norsemen from Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, Denmark and Iceland all landed in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and other various locations along the northeastern shores of what is now Canada and the New England. These Nordic hunters and explores actually constructed permanent shelters and hunted all kinds of animals and fish in the new world.

Scientists now know for a fact that rats are not indigenous to the Unites States; they believe rats were introduced to America from the ports of Spain on Columbus' three ships - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Its believe rats stowed away on the ships before leaving port and hid in the hulls of the ships during their voyage across the Atlantic. The rats would have have disembarked down the anchor ropes when the ships entered the waters of the New World for the first time. 

Interestingly a growing number of paleontologists and zoologists theorize that seafaring Scandinavian countries like Norway, with their flat-bottomed “Viking Longboats”, also carried unwanted animal cargo's. Their unwanted cargo however was wild Scandinavian hares. Many believe the wild Scandinavia hares hopped on the ancient Viking vessels at port and made the voyage to North America. Once the longboats arrived in new world harbors, the hares simply hopped onto shore.

Scandinavian hares are extremely adaptive creatures and could have easily adjusted to life in the new world. Scandinavian hares are feisty animals; not at all like their timid rabbit cousins who live in central and southern Europe. Wild Scandinavian hares can run at phenomenal speeds and they possess tremendous agility – all characteristics they developed living on the frozen tundra of Scandinavia. Once on North American soil these wild hares would have had access to an unlimited supply of food and no known predators to worry about. 

We know from the works of Charles Darwin and the theories he purported in his book 'The Origins of Species' that every order of animals has a predisposed natural instinct to reproduce. Perpetuating the population is paramount to ensure survival of their species. 

Scandinavian hare could have naturally mated with other indigenous animals here in north America. Hares, just like rabbits, have a short gestation period with frequent breeding periods throughout the year.  Wild Scandinavian hares could have easily been the link that evolved into the Jack-O-Lope creatures we hear so much about in North American legends.

The hare population could have exploded within just a few years. The growing herds of Scandinavian hares would have naturally had to migrate and the way they would migrate would be westward and southerly throughout all the North American continent.

Now the sheer size and physical strength of Scandinavian hares would have made it impossible for them to successfully mate with the small indigenous rabbits already habitatting the new world. The thought of a Scandinavian hare mating with a native American rabbit would be tantamount to a St Bernard trying to mate with a Chihuahua ‑ it just wouldn’t or couldn't work. 

So it has been postulated that these large Scandinavian hares would have begun to mate - often with other species more appropriate for their size – animals such as coyotes, foxes, weasels, otters and even small deer. Yes, deer!

There are small deer, deer such as the Andean Pod, a deer prevalent in many if out southern states. Andean Pod deer stand roughly 16 inches high and weigh approximately 20 lbs - making them perfect mating objects for Scandinavian hares. In addition, during their southerly migrations the wild European hares could have came in contact with the Key deer of Florida, as well as other small species of deer that habitat throughout the Florida Keys region.

If the wild Scandinavian hares had mated with these small deer, this could easily explain antlered offspring.  Large fast running rabbits with antlers would have easy translated into Jack‑O‑Lopes, a word that represents a hybrid between a Jack rabbit and an antelope.

Now here are three facts you should consider before you discount the legends of the Jack-O-Lope:

A) Native American folklore purports that buffalo and Jack-O-Lope freely roamed the North American continent in massive herds.  They both had similar and predictable migration patterns.

B) Many early European immigrants heading out west stated in their diaries that they would not have been able to survive their journeys had it of not been for the abundance of food they had to choose from:

     1) Buffalo (or bison which we call it today)
         and,

     2) Large horned prairie rabbits (the Jack-O-

          Lopes).

C) The back and forth migration patterns of the massive buffalo and Jack-O-Lope herds had a tremendous impact on the north American landscape and its vegetation. Their sheer numbers in each herd helped transformed the woodlands of North America into vast grasslands and prairies providing early pioneers with limitless open plains to plant their crops.

It was not until after thousands of Europeans, starting with the Pilgrims, then the Puritans and eventually the western pioneers that the massive herds of Jack-O-Lope were brought under control. Once the new settlers brought in their domesticated livestock and had a stable supply of fresh meet; their dependence on the Buffalo's and Jack-O-Lopes as a food source was no longer needed consequently it is believed they began to systematically slaughter them to prevent overgrazing of the lands they needed for their domestic livestock.

So there you have it - everything I know about the Jack-O-Lope. Now you tell me – are Jack-O-Lopes fact, fiction or legend? Are they cryptids (fictional creatures) like so many believe or are they, or were they real?

Please feel free to share any thoughts or comments you would like.  At Ralph's Rabbit Ranch we do more than just provide great tasting Rabbit meat.  We try to answer questions and share American history.  

Rabbit Trivia # 8

Rabbit meat is a heart -patient's friend. It contains less calorie value and sodium than all other meats - plus it is almost entirely cholesterol free.

If you are worried about your heart eat more rabbit meat.

Does Australia Really Have A Rabbit Overpopulation Problelm?

 As you might imagine we get asked a lot of rabbit-related questions out here at the ranch.  Anything people want to know about rabbits come our way.  We don’t always have the answer on our finger tips, but we try to get the correct answer as soon as we can.  One question that frequently comes up from visitors who tour the ranch is:  “Does Australia really have a rabbit problem?” The short answer is, "Yes." 

There are many accounts as to why Australia is overpopulated with rabbits. The story we were able to confirm with sources such as Wikipedia goes like this. 

The rabbit overpopulation problem in Australia is said to have originated in 1859 when Thomas Austin - no relation to Steve Austin the bionic man - released a mixture of 24 domestic rabbits and hares into the Australian wild. 

You see while living in his homeland – England – Mr. Austin loved hunting rabbits for sport. When he moved to Australia, he found there were no rabbits; rabbits were not native to his  his new home.  So Austin had his nephew back in England send him rabbits and hares from England. Once the rabbits and hares arrived in Australia  Austin released them into the wild.  They rabbits and hares adapted very well to Australia's climate and vegetation --- but get this ... they had no natural predators in  Australia to keep their population in check.

Austin believed the introduction of a few rabbits would do little harm; all he wanted to do was enjoy his favorite sport  which was hunting" those whywrie  wraskles". The rabbits, however, once set free were extremely prolific and their offspring spread rapidly across the southern continent of the Australia. 

The mild winters allowed the English rabbits to breed all year and the ample food supply was enough to feed countless generations.  With no known predators for the rabbits in Australia the rabbit population exploded.  The over population of rabbits still plaques Australians to this day.

It is estimated that by 1869 (just 10 years after Austin released his 24 rabbits and hares) the rabbit population grew to two million rabbits.  Rabbits shot and trapped each year have no noticeable effect on their population.

Its a fact: the explosion of the Australian rabbit population is the fastest recorded spread of any mammal population on the face of the earth. 

If you have any really good animal trivia you would like to share we would love to hear it.  If we can use it and put it on our blog we will send you one of Ralph's Lucky Rabbit Foot Key Chains.  

 

We Now Have a Face Book Like Page - Please Check It Out

Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch is the fastest growing rabbit ranch in Midwest; we are located in northern Wisconsin in Price County along the historic Lugerville range.    

We recently created a Face Book “Like” Page to go along with our Face Book Friend Page . It’s full of surprising rabbit trivia and entertaining articles the kind your whole family will enjoy.

If you are not a member of Face Book “Google us” or “Bing us” just type in Ralph's Rabbit Ranch or “Ralph's Ranch” so you can get to know us better. Whether you live in the north woods or come up for visits you’ll appreciate all the fun things taking place out at the Ranch.  

If you have questions post a comment. Tammy, Clancy, Stacey, Amanda or I will get back with any questions you may have. Enjoy the rest of this gorgeous summer.

Stay healthy my friends … and eat more rabbits.

Ralph

Ralphs Rabbit Ranch Update - May 2013

Well it sure was a great weekend this past weekend. Though it was a little windy the temperature got up in the 50's by the afternoon. Tammy and Paul thought it would be a great day to let the rabbits out and start them on practicing some hurdle jumping.

Hard to believe but the North American Rabbit Jumping Competition is only 96 days away. This year it is in Baltimore and we would sure like to come back with some trophies along with all those fresh crabs and oysters we plan on bringing back.

I won't bore you with all the jumpers so I will just highlight a few I hope you will enjoy.
...
Here's Butch on the low jump.

For his age he sure has great form and Clancy thinks he is our best shot to win in Baltimore because he possesses both speed and agility.

 

Here is buster on the high jump.  We thought because of his size he would be a great high jumper.  He has a lot of heart; however Clancy doesn't think he has the natural talent to really be competitive.

 

 

Rabbit Fact # 12

Rabbit meat is one of the best white meats available on the market today.  It has a high percentage of easily digestible protein and contains the least amount of fat among all other available meets.

Rabbit Fact # 11

The ratio of meat to bone on a rabbit is high.  This means there is more edible meat on the carcass of a rabbit than there is on a chicken

Rabbit Fact # 10

Most people don't know this but rabbits are one of the most productive domestic livestock animals. Rabbits will produce 6 pounds of meat on the same amount of feed and water that it takes a cow to produce just 1 pound of meat. 

Rabbit Fact # 5

A typcial rabbit litter can range in size from as few as 4 kits up to 12 kits.

(Yes, kits are what baby rabbits are referred to.  They are not officially bunnies as most people think)   

Rabbit Fact # 4

Did you know that rabbits can mate as early as 3 months of age and their normal gestation period from conception to birth  is only 31 days.

Interesting Jackalope Information

Someone sent me information they received from Kristal Lee's blog on the legend of the Jackalope. There were seven points about the Jackalope I did not know and would like to share with you.

1) The Jackalope is horned rabbit known for its aggressive and sometimes prankish behavior

2) Many scientist believe its a crossbreed between male jackrabbits and female antelope

3) The Jackalope is said to have an uncanny ability to mimic human voices

4) Jackalopes are very vocal during thunderstorms

5) Jackalope milk is highly prized because of its medicinal and aphrodisiac properties 

6) To catch a Jackalope leave a bottle of whiskey in an area where Jackalopes are suspected of inhabiting. Jackaopes love the taste of whiskey and will drink until they are drunk.  Once they are drunk it is easy to capture them

7) Jackalopes are believed to be cousins of the wolperdinger in German and the skvader in Sweden

In addition to Kristal Lee's blog information she recommends you check out these websites as well.

Jackalope
Shope papilloma virus
Legend of Jackalope
The Jackalope Conspiracy