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.
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 this weekend, be it Passover, Easter, or Earthday.
Your friends at DogDaz Zoo.
Tags: animal awareness, DogDaz, Easter Bunny, lorian lipton, nature, pet blog, pets, postaday, Rabbit
I wrote the first part of this post in 2016 and never published it. When Sofie was a puppy (born November 2010), other than being a bit whiney and barky in her first few months, she seemed like every other puppy I ever had. Thinking back, maybe she was a bit more strong-willed than others. It was harder to get her to listen to commands, but I figured that was her Sheltie/herding dog lineage and a vet told me she just needed a flock of sheep, or pride of cats, to work with every day.
Being the pet Mom that I am, I did Clicker training; I tried positive reinforcement with treats; I hired private trainers (twice); I even trained with an e-collar (before I knew it was not a good thing to train with). And, for a long time, she was great off leash and listened when I requested her attention. The only thing that I have never been able to get under control was her barking. She has super sonic hearing and barks at the slightest breeze.
When I look back at the list of things that I worked on with the first trainer when Sofie was about 6 months old, I see that the list hasn’t changed much in 6 years. (1) Barking at everything; (2) whining; (3) chasing cats. I can say that I taught her many things: not to jump on people, and how to sit, stay, come, stop, down, paw, leave it, drop it, up (in the car or on a bed), ‘Don’t’ (‘No’ is Louise’s word, so I used ‘Don’t’ for Sofie, so they wouldn’t get confused), find me (it’s a game we play), and place. I am pretty sure that she understands ‘quiet,’ but that she just doesn’t obey the command when I say it.
I feel like a failure. I have had 6 dogs in my life, and I have never had a dog with as many issues as Sofie.
Sofie’s challenges
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Thunder anxiety (always)
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Separation anxiety (sometimes)
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Hyper noise sensitivity (always)
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General, everyday, life anxiety
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Night terrors. Waking several times at night from sleep and starting to bark and go crazy as if something is attacking her.
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Dislikes puppies and any dog that lick her face
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Skin issues (mostly in warm weather)
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Breathing issues (whizzing and asthma like)
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Digestive issues
How things manifest
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Comfort sucking: She sucks on fabric, on the bed blankets, on toys (her favorites are catnip toys), even sometimes on my pants while I am wearing them. Sometimes she will ‘flank suck’ on herself, but that is rare.
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She pants, a lot, no matter the weather
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She whines
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She barks at everything
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She barks at dogs, people, trucks, anything passing the house, even if she can’t see them.
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She barks at deliveries leaving a package at the any door (and of course my daughter buys everything online).
3 different Veternarians over the years have told me she suffers from some form of mental instablity. At the end of the day, what does that mean?
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Fast forward to 2019 – to be continued…..
After 8 years, Sofie continues to be a challenge in a multi-animal household.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, mental illness, nature, noise anxiety, pet blog, separation anxiety, thunder anxiety
Our boy, Nine, is 8 years old today.
Happy Birthday, little man. You are SUPER!!!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: Animal, Cat, cats, DogDaz, lorian lipton, pet blog, postaday, tom cat
From all of us at DogDaz Zoo,
we wish you the happiest of holidays and
a wonderful NEW YEAR!
We will return on Caturday January 5, 2019, and
look forward to entertaining you for another year!
(in order of age)
Noel (the Christmas cat),
Charles (the Mugwump),
Louise (aka Lulu Belle),
Sofie Bear,
Mr. Nine,
Stella,
and
Mini Cooper
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: cat blog, cats, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, nature, pet blog
The cats are always amazed by the lights of the Christmas tree (which you can see reflected in the window behind Noel and Stella in this picture from 2013). K8 caught them watching the twinkling from a safe distance. Nine, of course, was climbing the tree, doing his best to undo all the wonderful decorations that everyone was putting up.
Don’t forget to celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year (Winter Solstice) next Friday in the Northern Hemisphere. We will start to gain a bit more daylight every day from the Winter Solstice until the Spring Solstice in June.
I can not imagine a life without cats. Happy Caturday.
DOGDAZ HOLIDAY LIST TO KEEP THEM SAFE
Here is a list of what to be careful of this holiday season for your cats and dogs and rabbits and guinea pigs and potbellies and ferrets, and…..
Bones – Small turkey and ham bones can lodge in the throat, stomach and digestive tract requiring surgery to remove. Also, the fats and gravies that you may add to your pets’ food can cause diarrhea and vomiting (and ultimately pancreatitis (Yuk!)).
Christmas Trees – These create a whole realm of dangers for your pet. Poorly secured trees can fall on rambunctious pets as the runaround or try to climb them. Pine needles can cause GI irritation and perforation. Sharp or breakable ornaments should be kept well out-of-the-way of curious mouths and paws. Christmas trees may contain additives and preservatives, which leach into the water and can be toxic if ingested. Tinsel, yarn, and ribbon can cause linear foreign bodies (get wrapped up throughout the intestinal tract) and create a blockage and/or possible perforations.
Electrical Cords – These are always a hazard to curious kittens and puppies but the extra lights and decorations this time of year is even more tempting. Make sure that all electrical cords are in good condition and out of reach.
Holiday Plants – Many plants can be poisonous to your pet. The holidays add a few more to that list and include mistletoe, poinsettia, lilies, and holly (the berries are especially toxic).
Lost Pets – The holidays make it easier for pets to sneak their way out of the house with the extra guests and visiting friends going in and out. Be sure to keep identification on your pets and keep them contained in a bedroom or behind a gate if you are expecting a lot of foot traffic through your front door.
Sweets– Holiday candy can cause GI problems and become toxic once ingested. Chocolate is one of the most common causes of toxic reaction in pets. The darker the chocolate the worse it is. Do not place wrapped boxes of chocolate under the tree – dogs can sniff them out. Also be sure to keep the candy dishes covered so playful paws aren’t tempted to fish them out.
Noel, The Christmas Cat
2009
Have a safe and healthy holiday!!
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Cat, cat blog, Cat People, cats, caturday, Christmas tree, dog, DogDaz, holiday safety list, lorian lipton, pet blog, pet care, pets, Winter solstice
It is amazing to me how time flies when it comes to age. Sofie Bear turns 8 years old today. My silly girl has been on a roller coaster of emotional/health issues for most of her years, but underneath it all, she is still my silly fluff ball who loves to roll in leaves and chase squirrels.
Happy Birthday, Sofie Bear! We would not be DogDaz Zoo without you!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Birthday, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, nature, pet blog
What a perfect day for the 3 DogDaz beauties to return from vacation because someone decided it is NATIONAL DOG DAY! We thought that every day was DOGDAZ (d-aw-ga-d-aye-za). Fall is in the air this week, summer is winding down, kids are heading back to school, and sadly, the pool is full of leaves. The zoo is as busy as ever and we plan on a full schedule of blogging about our antics. We hope you had a nice summer break and are ready to start taking longer walks in cooler temperatures. We know that Sofie and Charles are. Louise has been walking no matter how hot it is, but those fluff balls, no way they are going out in the heat and humidity. Bark Out Loud. Looking forward to fall.
HAPPY NATIONAL DOG DAY TO ALL
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Mutts, national dog day, nature, pet blog, postaday
DogDaz Zoo 