Spring is here and so is the Easter Bunny, the official mascot for the holiday season. But who is the Easter Bunny? Where did the story start? An Omaha, NE veterinarian discusses this historic—and adorable—mythical figure below.

History

The Easter Bunny tale is rather mysterious. Some say the story started with Eostre, the Saxon goddess of spring, who may or may not have been associated with hares. There is also the German Lutherans ‘Easter Hare,’ a stern furball that judged whether children had been good or bad. The good kids received toys and candy delivered by–of course–a bunny carrying a basket. (It’s also worth mentioning that rabbits actually can be very judgmental.)

Colored Eggs

Colored eggs are a fun Easter tradition. The egg, in many cultures, is associated with spring and fertility. Originally, the eggs likely got their color by being boiled with flowers. Today, people usually use food coloring. Easter egg hunts are also still popular. If you host one, just be sure to collect all the eggs before your dog gets to them. Boiled eggs spoil rather quickly, but that won’t stop Fido from eating them.

March Hare

Before the Easter bunny, there was the tale of the March Hare. You may have heard the saying ‘Mad as a March hare.’ This is likely due to the aggressive behavior that hares exhibit during mating season. During this time of year, wild hares may punch each other, randomly jump for no reason, or just generally act odd.

Bunny Adoption

We can’t discuss the Easter Bunny without talking about bunny adoption and rehoming. It’s still very common for people to adopt rabbits as Easter gifts for children. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that bunnies need to chew constantly, or that they need a lot of care. This can lead to bunnies being rehomed a few weeks or months after Easter. Make sure to adopt responsibly! Don’t adopt a rabbit unless you’re committed to caring for it for the rest of its life.

Happy Easter! Contact us, your Omaha, NE veterinary clinic anytime!