Rabbit (Animal)

From Benjamin Bunny to Peter Cottontail, the Velveteen Rabbit to the Flopsy Bunnies, the Rabbit of Caerbannog to Bugs Bunny and Roger Rabbit, the winsome long-eared animal is a permanent fixture of our childhoods. We know rabbits for their place in our stories, myths, and legends, and also for how they helped us learn to tie our shoes. In this richly illustrated book, Victoria Dickenson explores the natural and cultural history of the most familiar of the lagomorphs. Tracing the history of the species, Dickenson brings to life the giant extinct rabbits of Minorca and the tiny endangered Volcano rabbits of Mexico while focusing on the European rabbit. She explains how humans became this particular rabbit’s greatest predator, coveting its fur and flesh, and how they distributed rabbits to such far-flung places as New Zealand and Australia to provide food and sport for settlers. Dickenson also examines the paradox of the rabbit as prey and trickster who outwits all rivals, as cuddly companion for children and symbol of unbridled animal passion. She looks at the use of the rabbit’s foot to charm away evil, celebrates the Year of the Rabbit, and discovers the Jade Moon Rabbit, who lives on the moon. Hopping from B’rer Rabbit to the Energizer Bunny, Rabbit is the perfect gift for anyone who loves these intelligent, adorable creatures. Rabbit Is The Story Of The Winsome Long-eared Animal That Hops Through Children's Stories, Myths And Legends, And Back Yards. In This Richly Illustrated Book, Victoria Dickenson Explores The Natural And Cultural History Of This Most Familiar Creature. From The Giant Extinct Rabbits Of Minorca To The Tiny Endangered Volcano Rabbits Of Mexico, The Book Explores The History Of The Species, With A Special Focus On The European Rabbit, Whose History Has Been So Closely Intertwined With That Of Its Greatest Predator, Humanity. Celebrated For Its Fur And Its Flesh, The Rabbit Owes Its Worldwide Distribution To Human Intervention. Captain Cook Took Rabbits To New Zealand To Provide Food For Sailors And Settlers. Their Introduction In The Late Nineteenth Century To Australia Resulted In A Disastrous Plague Of Rabbits, Which Could Only Be Brought Under Control By The Introduction Of Myxomatosis. The Rabbit Is A Paradox. It Is Prey, Chased By A Thousand Enemies From Eagles To Foxes To Domestic Cats. But It Is Also Trickster, Who Outwits All Rivals, And Escapes Every Trap. The Rabbit Is Lucky, And His Foot Will Charm Away Evil. It Haunts The Graveyard And Dances In The Moonlight. The Rabbit Is Suitable As A Cuddly Companion For Children But Also As A Symbol Of Unbridled Animal Passion. From Peter Rabbit To B'rer Rabbit To Watership Down And The Energizer Bunny, Rabbits Hop Through Our Imagination. Discover The Jade Moon Rabbit, Celebrate The Year Of The Rabbit And Enjoy The Poetry Of Rabbits In This Fascinating Study Of An Animal That, After The Dog And Cat, Has Been Granted A Privileged Place In Our Homes And Our Hearts. A Natural History -- The Natural And Unnatural History Of The European Rabbit -- The 'useful' Rabbit -- Rabbit In Mind -- Rabbits And Us -- The Twenty-first Century Rabbit Paradox -- A Few Rabbit Poems -- Timeline. Victoria Dickenson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. From Benjamin Bunny to Peter Cottontail, the Velveteen Rabbit to the Flopsy Bunnies, the Rabbit of Caerbannog to Bugs Bunny and Roger Rabbit, the winsome long-eared animal is a permanent fixture of our childhoods. We know rabbits for their place in our stories, myths, and legends, and also for how they helped us learn to tie our shoes. In this richly illustrated book, Victoria Dickenson explores the natural and cultural history of the most familiar of the lagomorphs.Tracing the history of the species, Dickenson brings to life the giant extinct rabbits of Minorca and the tiny endangered Volcano rabbits of Mexico while focusing on the European rabbit. She explains how humans became this particular rabbit’s greatest predator, coveting its fur and flesh, and how they distributed rabbits to such far-flung places as New Zealand and Australia to provide food and sport for settlers. Dickenson also examines the paradox of the rabbit as prey and trickster who outwits all rivals, as cuddly companion for children and symbol of unbridled animal passion. She looks at the use of the rabbit’s foot to charm away evil, celebrates the Year of the Rabbit, and discovers the Jade Moon Rabbit, who lives on the moon. Hopping from __B’rer Rabbit__ to the Energizer Bunny, __Rabbit__ is the perfect gift for anyone who loves these intelligent, adorable creatures. Cover 1 Rabbit 5 Imprint Page 6 Contents 7 1. A Natural History 9 2. The Natural and Unnatural History of the European Rabbit 32 3. The ‘Useful’ Rabbit 63 4. Rabbit in Mind 96 5. Rabbits and Us 125 6. The Twenty-First-Century Rabbit Paradox 157 A Few Rabbit Poems 183 Timeline 186 References 188 Select Bibliography 206 Associations and Websites 209 Acknowledgements 211 Photo Acknowledgements 212 Index 214 In this richly illustrated book Victoria Dickenson explores the natural and cultural history of the rabbit, a winsome long-eared animal that hops through children's stories, myths and legends, and back yards.