Move over, cats and dogs—today belongs to the unsung heroes of the animal kingdom: rabbits. Every year on the fourth Saturday in September, International Rabbit Day hops onto the calendar. At first glance, it looks like a fluffy excuse to post cute bunny photos (and let’s be honest, no one’s complaining). But the day was originally created in the late 1990s by rabbit advocacy groups to raise awareness about rabbit welfare, both for wild populations and the floppy-eared friends living in our homes.
Turns out, rabbits aren’t just adorable—these creatures have been carrying symbolic weight (and occasionally entire holidays) for centuries.
Rabbits in Myth and Mischief
From ancient folklore to modern pop culture, rabbits have been busy burrowing into our stories. The Celts saw them as messengers between the human and spirit worlds. Japanese mythology places a rabbit on the moon, forever pounding rice cakes (one of my daily staple foods). And the Easter Bunny? He’s basically a fertility symbol in a pastel disguise, handing out candy instead of children (thank goodness).
Even trickster tales love rabbits—think Br’er Rabbit outsmarting foes or Bugs Bunny chewing his carrot mid-insult. If there’s one thing rabbits have taught us through history, it’s that underestimating them is a mistake.
Hare-Raising Facts You Might Not Know
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Speed demons: Rabbits can bolt up to 35 mph. That’s faster than Usain Bolt—if you gave him four legs and a reason to zig-zag.
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Dental overachievers: Rabbit teeth grow about 3–5 inches per year. No wonder they’re always chewing—it’s orthodontics or bust.
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Twice the meal: Rabbits re-digest part of their food through cecotropes, nutrient-rich “night droppings.” It’s not gross, it’s gourmet recycling.
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Thump-thump telegraph: Rabbits communicate danger by stomping their hind legs. Think of it as Wi-Fi with fur.
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Supersized snuggles: The Flemish Giant rabbit can weigh more than 20 pounds. That’s less “lap pet” and more “lap takeover.”
Why This Day Matters
International Rabbit Day isn’t just about swooning over bunny videos (though, again, highly recommended). It’s also a call to protect rabbits in the wild, where habitat loss and disease threaten their survival. For domestic rabbits, it’s about remembering they’re not novelty Easter toys—they’re social, sensitive, and capable of living a decade or more if cared for properly.
A Local Note: Cuddles and Coincidences
On a personal note, I’ve been meaning to check out a local cuddle-bunny club—yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like, and yes, I suspect it may be dangerously cute. Until I make it there, my bunny encounters have been at (of all places) a local alpaca farm and a not so local sunflower farm. Go figure: you show up for the alpacas (or sunflowers) and end up getting charmed by the rabbits too. It just proves what International Rabbit Day is all about—no matter where you stumble across them, rabbits always manage to steal the spotlight.
Hop to It
So today, maybe toss a handful of parsley to your pet rabbit, donate to a rescue, or if you’re in the Chicago area, go experience the bunny magic in person at Cuddle Bunny. They even host bunny yoga, creative evenings, and pure cuddle sessions (yes, you can book actual bunny time). What better way to celebrate International Rabbit Day than face-to-fur with the creatures that have inspired myths, mischief, and more than a few twitchy-nosed smiles?
Because behind those soft ears, twitchy nosed, fluffy tails and thumping feet is a story that deserves to be honored—not just today, but every day.
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