Jackalope: Barbed Humor

One of the symbols of the American West, the jackrabbit lives in open areas such as grasslands and deserts. With his strange ears, this hare is one of the animals of the American West that people will often remember.  The biggest, fastest, and flashiest of this Family of Hares is the antelope jackrabbit, who can outrun run everything except the antelope (i.e. pronghorn).

The antelope jackrabbit is the source of jackalope (horned rabbit) legends. One joke that Westerners play on new people is to tell them about the jackalope (a large jackrabbit with deer horns). This legendary animal is often seen by people who have had too much to drink.

One of those fabled creatures of North America, the jackalope remains elusive, always roaming the prairies during storms. The vast wilderness and the wild unknown provided the impetus for these stories of fantastic animals lurking about just beyond civilization. Even now, it is possible that a person could encounter one in a remote desolate landscape.

Legend has it that John Colter was the first white man to encounter a jackalope in what would be Wyoming. Years later, cowboys reported seeing them during lighting storms on the prairies. At night, they could hear the jackalopes echoing their singing to their cattle. Many cowboys would attest to this mythic animal having a tenor voice.

The jackalope is believed to be a cross between an extinct species of pygmy deer and a killer rabbit. The Douglas Jackalope is the most well-known, with Douglas, Wyoming proclaiming itself the “Jackalope Capital of the World.” Besides, the Douglas “species,” there is also the Alkali Area Jackalope of the western U.S. The Jack-pine Jackalope of Minnesota and Wisconsin predates the others. According to folklorist Richard Dorson said that this particular jackalope can be found along the shores of Lake Superior.

Known as “warrior rabbits,” jackalopes are vicious when attacked. They will slash at their targets with their sharp antlers. Hunters are cautioned to wear stovepipes on their legs to keep from being hooked. Even then, few hunters survive an encounter and live to talk about it.

The jackalope may look like a figure of fun, but he is dangerous. Cowboys knew better than to hunt one whenever they heard a jackalope mimicking their songs. The jackalope appears in thundering nights, fierce and ready to kill. Never assume that something which looks cute is harmless.

Like many other mythic animals of America, the jackalope has a hidden vicious side under the humorous one. The hidden barb that lurks below the surface is the jackalope. This mythical animal teaches that humor can hurt as much as being slashed by razor-sharp horns.

AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE: Defense of Home

Copyright: Aviceda

Although, they share a common name, the Australian magpie is NOT a relative of the magpie of the Crow Family. The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a relative of the currawong. Found only in Australia, this bird is among one of the most common of local birds there. The Australian magpie tends to live in one place in a large group.

The Australian magpie has a complex social structure. He lives either in a tribe of about two to ten birds or in a flock of many birds. The difference between the two is that a tribe has a breeding territory. Members of his tribe defend their territory from all other magpies. Australian magpies who are members of flocks are usually birds who were unable to join a tribe. These birds do not breed until they join a tribe. When an Australian magpie is about two years old, He is forced out of the territory of his birth tribe and must look for another tribe to join. The only way that an Australian magpie can join a tribe is when another bird leaves.

Australian magpies forage by walking over open land, probing the soft parts of the ground, turning over stones, and other hiding places for Insects. Not particular in what He eats, the Australian magpie is quite versatile in eating whatever He finds. He and his tribe will exploit every part of their breeding territory for food. They will search for scarab beetles, a major garden pest.

A well-known “backyard bird,” the Australian magpie carols to announce his presence. This bird has one of the most complex songs in the bird world. He performs his flute-like melodies in groups (known as caroling). An intelligent bird, the Australian magpie can mimic other bird calls and human speech. He will include both in his songs.

What makes the Australian magpie dangerous is when He believes that a person is a threat to his nest. During the breeding season (August to October), Father Magpie will defend his young. He will attack by swooping down on intruders and pecking their heads. This bird is so aggressive in defending his nest that the local governments in Australia issue magpie warnings for people to wear a helmet, carry an open umbrella, or avoid the nesting area. Since the Australian magpie is protected in parts of Australia, the best defense is to avoid Him completely.

The Australian magpie teaches how to defend your home through offensive action. You watch and then attack before the home invader can come for you. But do not go so overboard in your defense that you become a menace to the neighborhood. Remember that the Australian magpie first announces his presence with his song. Music will calm troubled waters.
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Update of a 2014 posting.