Memorable rabbits Part 17 Stephanie

Stephanie was one of the few rabbits who seemed to have lived a happy life on this island.

9/27/26

The rabbit known as Stephanie was a member of a large family living at the south beach.

Her parents lived in the same territory, where they too had partners and offspring—much like a daughter bringing a mate into her family home, perhaps?

Though timid in her youth, she grew into a confident, magnificent, and beautiful mother; she was one of the lucky few rabbits who lived harmoniously alongside three or four generations of her family.

Michael spent hours every day standing at this beach, observing the rabbits interact with one another until he could identify their territorial boundaries and the relationships among them. Males would be driven out of the territory upon reaching a several months old and forced to move to a new area—a transition that sometimes resulted in failure to adapt and, consequently, death. Females, on the other hand, remained near their natal territory to raise their own families.

There were cases of couples divorcing—or separating—where the woman began living with a new husband while the former husband lived in the neighborhood.

All the rabbits on Ohkunoshima are the product of inbreeding and are related to one another; yet, there appear to be territorial rules and feuds among kin, and conflicts can escalate into extremely violent clashes.

Stephanie’s end remains a mystery. Rabbits that suddenly vanish are often sick or injured, yet Stephanie had appeared perfectly healthy. Given the recent rise in the wild boar population, however, it is possible she fell prey to one.