CABBITS IN FICTION AND RHYME
Cabbits in Anime
Cabbit is also a term used by English-speaking fans of anime to describe half cat, half rabbit creatures in anime. It is used by fans to describe the shapechanging character Ryo-Ohki in the series Tenchi Muyo. The term is not used in the series itself. As a result of the popularity of the series, many anime fans are unaware that the term and the concept pre-date the series by more than 100 years. They incorrectly believe Masaki Kajishima invented the concept of cabbits. Joseph Train documented supposed cat-rabbits in "An Historical and Statistical Account of the Isle of Man" (1845). The rabbit-like illustration below is actually a lynx in an 1853 natural history book.
Cabbits in Rhyme
A cabbit, a cabbit, a cat and a rabbit,
Can't mate. Did you think that they can?
The scientists quail at hearing such tales
About tailless cats from Man!
Cabbits in Literature
Cat-rabbit hybrids are mentioned in the novel "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" (Michael Chabon):
"Out at Povorotny, a cat mated with a rabbit and produced adorable freaks whose photos graced the front of the Sitka Tog" [fictional newspaper of Sitka region]
Cabbits in Advertising
These images of tiger-striped rabbits were photographed from advertising posters.
Cabbits in Online Fiction/April Fools
The folk-belief in cabbits leads to frequent vandalism of online encyclopedias ranging from "cabbits are a rare but true occurrence" to more elaborate insertions such as "The most researched community of cabbits lives behind the Canadian Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Canada alongside a thriving population of wild cats which, it is presumed, has been mating with the few wild rabbits and hares in the area. Some local politicians called for a cull of the clowder-herd following an incident where a Japanese schoolgirl was killed in an attack by several cabbits while touring the Parliamentary grounds as part of a school trip." The latter combined a Japanese flavour (cat-rabbits being found in anime) with the Western folktale.
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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.