CABBITS - WHAT ARE THEY?
I've had a lot of enquiries from people asking where they can buy a cabbit. They have read two of my articles and misunderstood the information about cabbits. Those who have mailed me thought I was saying that there really are creatures which are part cat and part rabbit. Some even thought I was breeding cabbits or that I knew cabbit-breeders who would sell them a cabbit. Here's what I actually wrote:-
In my list of breeds I wrote: "Genetic problems and Abnormalities: [...] "Winged" cats with flaps of fur hanging from the shoulders have been reported on several occasions. "Cabbits" with rabbit-like hind legs appear to be malformed Manx-type cats. Kangaroo Cats with very short front legs have occurred, possibly an expression of the Munchkin gene. [...] Other deformities include extra legs, extra tails, dwarfism. In general, the associated health problems make these traits undesirable."
In "The Ethics of Breeding for Deformity" I wrote: "Nature sometimes makes genetic mistakes. [...] 'Cabbits' are genetic quirks (often, but not exclusively, found in the Manx breed) where the hind end resembles that of a rabbit rather than a cat. One sometimes reads queries in magazines asking 'What are Cabbits? Where can I find a breeder?'. Someone somewhere may currently be considering the breeding of Cabbits to meet the novelty-value market."
Both times, I wrote that creatures which some people call cabbits are genetic quirks or deformities. I described the hind legs which are rabbit-like or wrote that the hind end resembles that of a rabbit. I certainly haven't written that these creatures are cross-breds. They aren't. They are cats with either a genetic defect or a birth defect. In "The Ethics of Breeding for Deformity" I express concern that someone might try to make money out of this type deformity, I don't say that I know of anyone who is doing this right now nor do I say I'd approve of it.
|
IMPORTANT NOTE I often receive emails from people saying "I have personally seen a cabbit" or "I have a cabbit" or "cabbits are born but don't survive" or even "My vet says it is a cabbit". What you have is a cat with one or more of those traits which make it resemble a rabbit and a vet with a sense of humour or who watches too many cheap talk shows. Absolutely the ONLY proof of a cabbit existing in real life is independently verified DNA evidence to prove that the animal you have is a hybrid. If the DNA evidence was real, it would be big news (as big as cloning) and would be printed in scientific journals, nature journals and veterinary journals. This site will not consider any claims of genuine cabbits unless supported by material from reputable, respected scientific journals Ask yourself these questions: Do you really, honestly believe that any vet would pass up such an opportunity to become famous, and possibly wealthy, from finding a real-life cabbit? Are you so sure of your claim that you are prepared to have a DNA analysis done on your cat or kittens? Do you have independent scientific evidence from at least 2 accredited laboratories and qualified professional genetics researchers (not hobbyists) to support your claim? Have the results been published in a recognised scientific journal? If not, all you have is a delusion. |
Regardless of the genetic impossibility, it seems that people want to believe in cabbits (especially with the cabbit characters in popular Japanese anime) just like they want to believe in the Easter Bunny - and they will continue to believe in mythical creatures despite all evidence to the contrary.