The Jackalope
Contents
Nomenclature
Antelabbit; Aunt Benny; Wyoming Thistled Hare; Deerbunnie; or Stagbunny. Flying Killer Jackalope (Lepus artiodactyla phasianus or Lepus talopus-calopus [from Heraldry]). Flying jackalopes orignate from Wall, South Dakota.
Habitat
The Jackalope are native of the arid Western Plains and Rocky Mountain Regions of the United States. They are more numerous in areas of higher electrical disturbances and tornados. (See: Breeding and Mating, below).
Appearance in the Wild
The extremely shy and elusive animals are dangerous if approached, having sharp horns like its ancestors, horned four legged ruminants "haunting the banks of the Euphrates, very savage, hard to catch and having long saw-like horns capable of cutting down trees". These most elusive of animals can convincingly imitate any sound, including the human voice. It uses this ability to elude pursuers, chiefly by using phrases such as "There he goes! That way!" A jackalope may be caught by putting a flask of whiskey out at night. The jackalope will drink its fill of whiskey and its intoxication will make it easier to hunt. In some parts of the United States it is said that jackalope meat has a taste similar to lobster.
Breeding and Mating
L. artiodactyla is a hybrid resultant from interbreeding of the pygmy-deer and a species of "killer-rabbit". Jackalopes will only breed during electrical storms including hail, explaining its rarity. Female jackalopes can be milked as they sleep belly up and that the milk can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes.
[[image:|Jackalope at the 'Prairie Dog Town' museum in Oakley, KS. n.d.]]
History
Euprates and European jackalopes are currently being researched by Museum staff.
