5 Facts about Rabbits from Smithsonian: Giant Rabbits
In celebration of the annual spring appearance of the Easter bunny on Sunday, Smithsonian Science offers these facts from Rabbits: The Animal Answer Guide, a new book by John Seidensticker, conservation scientist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and Susan Lumpkin, freelance writer.
Image: Black-tailed jackrabbit (Photo by Susan E. Adams)
1
Rabbits are not rodents, but lagomorphs (lag–uh-mawrf), a scientific term which means “hare-shaped.” Hares and pikas also are lagomorphs.
2
Image: A reconstruction of a giant Minorcan rabbit is shown next to a modern European rabbit. (Image by Meike Köhler)
Scientists studying the bones of an extinct giant rabbit found on the Mediterranean island of Minorca estimate this prehistoric animal weighed as much as 31 pounds! The largest rabbits alive today– domestic breeds such as the Flemish giant–weigh 22 pounds at most.
3
Thanks to human introductions the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is found throughout Western Europe, Australia, parts of South America, North Africa and on more than 800 islands around the world. Today in Iberia, Spain, the European rabbit’s sole home for many thousands of years, it is threatened.
4
Archaeologists have evidence of people hunting rabbits in the south of France some 120,000 years ago. Scientists suspect even Neanderthals lived on diets made up largely of rabbits
5
A “never fail” Kansas folk remedy for reducing fever recommends making a strong tea from the dung of the wild jackrabbit and drinking it every half-hour.
(via: Smithsonian Insider)
Wishing sunshine to all who celebrate spring, whatever you call it (Purim, Easter, Earth Day…)
Your friends at DogDaz Zoo.
Tags: animal awareness, animals, DogDaz, Easter Bunny, lorian lipton, nature, pet blog, pets, postaday, Rabbit
The last few weeks were rocky, but I think Sofie has turned a corner!!!! So Far, Sofie Good.
With the addition of Melatonin to Sofie’s night time medicine, she is making it through without night terrors. Her sucking seems to be up a little, but she is getting more rest (and, of course, so am I).
I have been taking Melatonin for years to help me sleep and when I travel. It never dawned on me that it could help Sofie sleep too. The more I researched it, the more I found that it has been used for noise phobia, thunder phobia, anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy in dogs. And it helps horses and even cats safely. (I am learning about cat Chronic Dysfunction Syndrome (aggression against the owner, strangers, or housemates; inappropriate elimination; increased vocalization; disturbances in the sleep cycle; excessive grooming; and disorientation or confusion), but that is for another post.)
If you search on the word “melatonin” at The Whole Dog Journal you find a list of the following articles:
· “Reducing Your Dog’s Anxieties”
· “Chill Pills”
· “Stop the Panic”
· “Bring In Da Noise”
Why none of my vets, even my holistic vet, ever mentioned adding this to her mix, I don’t know. But I found it and SO FAR, SOFIE GOOD!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, melatonin, mental illness, nature, night terrors, pet blog, postaday
Late Breaking News: Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow at Gobbler’s Knob today, Feb. 2, 2016, Groundhog Day, and so Spring is just around the corner. 
Picture Source: Google images
Funny weather predicting creatures. I like them. I used to have one that lived in the woods behind my previous house. He liked to stand on top of the hill and watch the world go by. They have some interesting names: Land Beaver, Whistlepig, Woodchuck, Wood-shock, Groundpig, Whistler, Thickwood Badger, Canada Marmot, Monax, Moonack, Weenusk, and the Red Monk. The name “Thickwood Badger” was given in the Northwest to distinguish the animal from the Prairie Badger. Monax was an Native American name of the woodchuck, which meant “the digger.” Babies are called “Chucklings” (I love that!). These are a North American critter and I don’t believe you see them else where in the world.
Names source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog
Have you ever met a groundhog? What do you call them? Will there be 6 more weeks of winter in your neck of the woods? – DogDaz
Just another DogDaz morning at the Zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Animal welfare, animals, DogDaz, ground hog, land beaver, lorian lipton, Pet, postaday, whistle pig, woodchuck
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, blizzard, Blog, blog hop, DogDaz, Guinea pig, lorian lipton, Pet, pets, postaday, Snow, winter, Wordless Wednesday
From our Zoo to yours, may 2016 bring you healthy, happiness, and lots of licks and love. We look forward to a wonderful blog year ahead with all our favorite dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, potbellies, and on and on.
Your friends at DogDaz Zoo – Louise, Sofie Bear, Noel, Nine, Stella, and Mini Cooper
and Mom, Lorian, of course
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, nature, New Year, pet blog, postaday
Full moon on Christmas, how wonderful to light the way. May your day be merry and bright. All of us at DogDaz Zoo hope that this holiday season is bringing you joy. A little extra catnip and a new bone and Bobo does the trick around here. Happy Christmas!
Thank You Santa Paws!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, Cat, cats, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, multi animal household, nature, pet blog, postaday, Santa Paws
Source: Unknown
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, animals, Bear, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, grizzly, lorian lipton, nature, pet blog, postaday
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