Stories Rabbits Tell

Susan E. Davis & Margo DeMello

Stories Rabbits Tell is a tour de force for rabbit lovers the world over. It is the first of its kind to tackle the whole panorama of information concerning the rabbit - wild and domestic. Although it hops around at time (pun intended), it basically plows through all the information currently available with their affection for rabbits coming across on every page.

The authors make no bones about their bias on behalf of rabbits. In fact, Margo DeMello was president of the House Rabbit Society when the book was published (now she is the Executive Director). Both she and Susan Davis have sterling academic credentials, and together have written a tome which presents a realistic look at rabbits. It is a complete discussion of rabbits in history and culture done in the vein of a social science study that is heavily footnoted. They take great strides to make their research as balanced and objective as they can. Stories Rabbits Tell is definitely a labor of love.

Since so much is covered in Stories Rabbits Tell, I will just give some of the things you will learn from this wonderful book that are not already found on this web site.

As of 2003 there were 5.3 million pet rabbits living in 2.2 U.S. homes; an increase of 2 million rabbits since 1994.

Wild rabbits are the primary game animal in the USA & France.

Hares and rabbits cannot reproduce.

The lifespan of a wild rabbit is 2 years, and the annual mortality rate of a warren is 90%.

Rabbits can reach speeds up to 25 mph in short distances; hares can reach 50 mph.

Rabbits can leap a 4 foot fence.

“Rabbit” is a derogatory name for a fearful soldier.

“Domestic” refers to an animal that can be bred in captivity for traits (hares cannot be bred in captivity).

During the French Revolution a point of contention was that the gentry controlled the warrens.

In 1862 Napoleon proclaimed rabbits to be game animals.

In 30 B.C. the Roman colony of Strabo wrote Augustus Caesar to send a legion to kill the rabbits that had multiplied from one rabbit couple.

The 1880 Ground Game Act in England allowed tenants to “take’ the rabbit which upset the natural balance that had been maintained for 600 years. By 1953 the crop damage by rabbits was immense.

The USDA regulations do not cover rabbits because they are not considered livestock.

Women have historically cared for small animals (like poultry) that are kept close to the house.

Goldfish were the first mass produced pet. Stories Rabbits Tell Continued