No group of mammals has established their place in world folklore so firmly as the Lagomorph Family. People talk being “Mad as March Hares”, carry lucky Rabbit’s feet, or tell tall tales of crafty Rabbits. Moreover, children’s stories about Bunnies abound. In addition, it seems that everyone has a version of the “Tortoise and the Hare Story”.
An Asian Rabbit story goes as follows: to feed Buddha, Rabbit threw himself into the fire. As a reward for his sacrifice, He was given a new home on the moon. In China, Moon Hare is the guardian of all wild animals. Also, the Japanese see a Rabbit in the Moon.
Once considered Rodents, Lagomorphs (“hare-shape”) are now in their own family. They grow two pairs of upper incisor teeth, that rodents do not. These small furry animals are more closely related to Deer than to Rodents. In fact, Lagomorphs are descended from the same ancestors as Deer.
Lagomorphs are divided into two families – Leporidae (Rabbits and Hares) and Ochotonidae (Pikas). Pikas look like Guinea Pigs with short round ears. They live where many other Mammals would freeze to death – above the tree line of mountains in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Rabbits and Hares (Leporidae) are more familiar to people. However, Hares and Rabbits belong in their own Sub-families. Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus) and European Rabbits (Oryctalgus) live in underground burrows. Cottontails have elaborate nests lined with fur and grass. European Rabbit lives in large colonies, which is a complex network of nests and tunnels. Hares (Lepus), in contrast, live solitary lives in their shallow depressions called forms. Their young, born with fur and eyes open, are ready to hop away at birth without a mother’s care.
Many people think that Lagomorphs are fearful animals. People see Them freeze at a moment of danger or dash away quickly. However, Pikas are hearty animals, well adapted to the cold and high altitudes. Hares run zigzag to confuse predators. Jackrabbits taunt their pursuers by flashing a white patch on their rump. Rabbits box their pursuers with their hind legs.
Although Lagomorphs are preyed upon by a wide variety of animals, They manage to cope and thrive. Pikas live among mountain boulders, that have chinks to hide in. Cottontails flash their white tails in warning. To hide in plain sight, European Rabbits freeze. Hares run zigzag to confuse their pursuers. Learn coping strategies from Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas.
RABBITS, HARES, AND PIKAS’ TEACHINGS ALSO INCLUDE:
“The Lesson of Rabbit is to take time to reflect, rest, and review what is important in life. When the time comes to retreat, it should be done with the strategic purpose of recharging rather than out of blind fear. We all need to have a safe harbor and a soft place to fall.” Copyright: Caelum Rainieri and Ivory Andersen, “The Nahualli Animal Oracle”.
Take time to read what the Individual Rabbit, Hare, and Pika Family members have to teach.
Rabbit Empowerment: Animals have gifts that they are willing to offer people. One gift of the animals is their energies to empower people on their journey of life. With their energy gift, each animal offers their particular wisdom to the person. For people who need to trust themselves and others, Rabbit offers his formidable gifts.
I offer Rabbit Empowerment for $40 US (includes before and after consultations, Rabbit meditation, and Rabbit crystal). For more information, go to Animal Teachers: Animal Empowerments.
Note: Other names for Pika: Rock Rabbit, Mouse Hare, Cony, and Little Chief, Haymaker, Piping Hares, and Whistling Hare
Hares are longer-legged and larger-eared than Rabbits. Their large, independently swiveling ears enable them to detect predators at considerable distances.
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Drawing of Rabbit and Hare copyrighted by Visipix.com
Va. Carper