Bennie, you Bunnyhugger!

Rabbits were brought to New Zealand and released for both food and sport at various sites as early as the 1830s. Once rabbits became established, their population increased to plague proportions several times. The first rabbit plague began in the early 1870s and petered out about 1895. Another increase occurred in the early 1920s. There was a major irruption in the 1940s, and the most recent began in the late 1980s.

This evening, there was a terrific commotion with dogs scattering across the floor in the direction of the front gate. There stood Mike, our neighbour from across the way, with two little gifts – one for Sophie and one for bigger brother Bennie.

 

Sophie, looking all chuffed with her delicacy for the evening.

Bennie is quite an expert

Sophie has less finesse, but ends up finishing her meal quite sometime before big brother. Now for the veg…

Before anyone starts the ‘Oh shame, cute-little-bunny thing’, please bear in mind that folk all round the world have hare on the menu. Besides, practically, rabbits have cost New Zealand many millions of dollars, through the direct cost of controlling them, and the loss of production from farms. Their impact on the drier areas of the South Island has been little short of an ecological disaster, as the vegetation grazed off by rabbits has never recovered. The worst affected areas – once well covered with tussock, grasses and small shrubs – now have very little vegetation cover, which has led to soil erosion by wind and rain. The loss of soil has left areas where only the hardiest colonising plants will now grow. Burrowing by rabbits in some soil types and on steep slopes has also led to soil erosion.

Full tummies, and sound asleep. Snoring describes Sophie…

How to differentiate between HARES and RABBITS:

Hares are generally larger and faster than rabbits, and consequently have larger feet and longer ears than rabbits. Hares have black markings on their fur.

Rabbits are altrical (their young are born blind and hairless. In contrast, hares are generally born with hair and are able to see (precocial). Young hares are therefore able to fend for themselves very quickly after birth.

Hunters say that hare has a much stronger “gamier” flavour than rabbit (which actually does taste like a milder version of chicken.) I checked this out with Bennie, who is considering the matter.