Giant Rabbits

This one's just going to be a short. I thought about this for a few weeks now, and after watching Night of the Lepus, and looking up Jackalops, I decided to write something about GIANT RABBITS!

This is a small scrap I was able to salvage from what I remembered from Northern Markets (ppl from old MMOT know this- NM was always on the front page and got in the way of more interesting posts by other ppl. kudos to those who read it…SilverFX, Ganzicus, Spade, MasterCheeze, and everyone else who have helpful hints and said good things). Right before MMOT went under, I was goign to do something where giant rabbits were involved.

To skip this post (duh its boring, it's by ME of course lol),
Night of the Lepus (MGM, 1972) is now playing on YouTube. Go and see it before bvseediermedia2 gets banned. Great for a few chuckles. I liked it. I do think Eight Legged Freaks is based off NOTL.

Anyways, here goes:
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This short contains some violent content.

MapleSAP NatureFREAK: Giant Rabbits of New Saskatchewan

Scientists, biologists, and naturists who have been to New Saskatchewan and seen for itself just how unmerciful and unforgiving the Living Skies can really be. Weather and climatic extremes have rendered the land unfit for life, however the vast prairies have been home to almost entirely alien life forms not seen in Maple World. Animals, insects, and plants exist in the Land of the Living Skies, and have changed and adapted to weather conditions, and even space weather that New Saskatchewan is often exposed to.

The territory lies in a zone beneath one of the many pocket-holes of the electro-magnetic shield. Only gases in the upper atmosphere protect the land from the most lethal radiation. However hundreds of different types of space radiation seep through the clouds and affect the land, and all forms of life to occupy it. Plants and animals have mutated and developed new sub-species to adapt to the extreme environment, including humans as well. Several species develop new senses and abilities. Humans have developed greater psionic powers than other magicians in Maple World, and are able to tap into all different kinds of energy, including electricity, and more potent forms of magic. Plants and animals have developed ways to withstand extreme hot and extreme cold. In 2005, summer temperatures in southern NSK reached 175*C. The grass survived and retained the little water left. In Winter 1991, the temperature in Pasquia County reached -180C (-292F), cold enough for liquid methane rain.
animals and plants adapted and survived, often hibernating during extreme periods, and roaming the vast lands during times when the Living Skies were a lot more merciful.

Rabbits are no exception. All kinds of leporids (rabbits) were introduced in New Saskatchewan from 1479AD to 1964AD. In the 15th century, colonists from Ivalice settled into what is now called Minowuka, where an expermental farm was established, including colonies housing more than two thousand rabbits. After the Ivalician government terminated its colonial program, the colonists released all the animals at the farm before returning home. Throughout the years, other foreign nations attempted to colonize New Sakatchewan and introduced their own animals, including rabbits.

As the climate was too extreme, it was predicted all rabbits in New Saskatchewan would die out. However, as Sasko spiritualists dictate, the Living Skies determine what lives and what dies here. Rabbits adapted, developing new genes throughout many generations over several hundred years, and are one of the maany uncontrolled livestock species in the country.

As they adapted, rabbits grew in size, and now range from the size of a car to the size of a large tank. There are giant variations of many species, including Lops, spots, and woolies. Various hares, and jacks also exist as giants.
The enlarged Flemish Giant rabbit can be as large as a bus. It varies just how big these colossal rabbits can be.

Local people call these docile furry monsters the Zuikis (zu-EE-key). In parts of New Saskatchewan not routinely exposed to extreme weather, people keep Zuiki rabbits as livestock on massive ranches. Zuiki rabbits are used to pull heavy farm machines (such as a plow), or transport heavy goods. Like cows, horses, Kodo, and
kailių kamuolys (giant fur-ball creatures), Zuiki rabbits are also used in human activities, such as rodeos, and races. Zuiki rabbits can eat up two 5-times a man's weight in plants and grains a week.

A Zuiki jack rabbit can run up to nearly 150 miles per hour (10 mph faster than world's fastest wild cat). the average Zuiki can run between 40-120 miles per hour pending on how much they feel like running. Like all other animals tamed by humans, Zuiki are but seldom used for their meat and fur. Sasko federal law strictly regulates hunting of these animals, and other numbers are kept for consumption use.

Out in the outback, wild Zuiki rabbits live and move in large herds, changing location 4-6 times a year, on the same route. A typical heard can have between 200 and 800 rabbits, while a new, growing herd can be anywhere between 20 and 40 rabbits. The largest Zuiki herd spotted by the Sasko Aerial Patrol has had over 2000 rabbits. Conditions such as cold weather, protection from predators, or human activity cause the herds not to split up. Usually, herds merge during breeding seasons and remain together until the young no longer require nurturing.

It is not uncommon for herds of Zuiki rabbits to pass through town or even stay for a while, much less try and take it over. Several small towns have been invaded and overrun by the rabbits, with nothing left after the herd moves on. In rural areas, locals prepare during expected arrival times, not only to defend themselves and their resources, but also make offerings to the giant rabbits during their stay. At larger cities, however, measures are taken to keep the herds away.

Zuikars (Rabbiteers) are people who live and travel with the giant herds. The docile creatures get to know someone, and the person's presence no longer bothers them, even they enter the burrows and dens. Rabbiteers live off the land like the rabbits do, but are more crafty about it. When a herd stops at a lake or forest, rabbiteers go off on their own hunting/gathering rounds. Rabbiteers get a lot of attention (and ridicule) when visiting towns. They act mainly as caretakers of the herds.

Caravans of animals or motor vehicles (such as horses or trucks) transporting goods are also known to follow the Zuiki herds, as the rabbits know which way to go and how to navigate a land that could become deadly dangerous.

Zuiki rabbits, however, are not safe. Predatory animals, and supernatural beings occasionally hunt or attack the herds. Disease and parasites are another serious blight to watch out for. But not all Zuiki rabbits are mindless and docile. Several Wild Hare and Jackrabbit species have evolved into entirely different, and predatory creatures.
Several of these species brought to New Saskatchewan also carried with them the Shope Papilloma Virus (SPV), an infection that causes tumors to grow inside the body and sprout from the skin and grow.

According to the SEA Lands Animal Research Institute (where animal includes humans too), the term 'Jackalope' is actually referred to any rabbit with SPV tumors sticking out of its body.

IMAGE: Rabbit with SPV tumors sticking out of its mouth. Tumors grow, preventing the rabbit from eating. He will die soon

In New Saskatchewan, however, with the exposure to space radiation, magnetic and magic energies of all different kinds, rabbits with the SPV infection have evolved very differently. A new gene in these monsters has been discovered, allowing jackalopes (Zuikalops) to control their infection and use it as a tool or weapon against enemies and prey. Jackrabbits in particular have become monsters and fearsome users of their new power. With new psionic abilities, they can slow, or hasten the growth of their own tumors, and control where they grow. Usually, jackalopes grow tumors on their heads and allow them to age and harden, and add to their appearance. Excess tumors can be cut off and are left at sites that jackalopes no longer occupy.

Jackalopes have been known to shoot tumor pieces at their targets, immediately infecting them. A fast growing tumor lodged in the target animal will grow, ripping apart the pray in a matter o minutes. tumors are also used as deadly bio-hazardous projectiles ranging in size from 3" to 5 feet.
Once the infection hits the prey, it immediately becomes contagious, and is airborne, and will infect surrounding animals.

Jackalopes travel in packs, and prowl the land like wolves. They growl and bark at one another, and often get into vicious scraps and sparring matches with eachother. These beasts will only eat vegetation when live prey is scarce. At night, the deranged, high-pitchd howl of an enraged Jackalope will be heard as far away as ten miles. A herd-sized back of howling Jackalopes can be heard anywhere from 10-50 miles away.

JAckalopes have a very sharp memory and can remember exact creatures they've met- and recognise them at a later run-in if they escaped the first time. Their choice target for food, but also to increase their numbers are the other giant rabbits, whom will turn jsut as vicious if infected with the SPV.
Too often have people been at war with marauding Jackalope packs, and local area defense is called to action whenever a patrol spots Jackalopes on the prowl.
In 2001, the small town of St. Codette was destroyed when several packs of packalopes attacked the visiting rabbit herd there. The rabbits all became infected and turned on the people, attacking them. The town was lost. New legislation by the New Saskatchewan government requires that all settlements and camps have weapons and significant defence forces on site.

The battle between giant rabbits and their Jackalope enemies continues even to this day.
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Originally aired in Singapura by STAMP TV in Janurary 2008,
and again by KMTV in Kerning City April 2008.
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