Why Did This Rabbit Choose Suicide on the Road?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a peculiar encounter with a dead rabbit found on the road, raising questions about the rabbit's behavior and motivations. Participants explore various interpretations of the situation, including themes of suicide, thrill-seeking, and startled behavior. The conversation includes humorous asides and references to cultural depictions of rabbits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a dead rabbit could sit on all fours, suggesting it is perplexing behavior.
  • Another participant humorously speculates about the rabbit being suicidal, thrill-seeking, or searching for meaning.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that the rabbit may have been startled, proposing that rabbits freeze as a defense mechanism when frightened.
  • One participant humorously theorizes that the rabbit intended to damage tires as a form of retribution against drivers.
  • Several participants share links to a humorous video related to the topic, indicating a light-hearted approach to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of humorous interpretations and serious considerations regarding the rabbit's behavior. There is no consensus on the motivations behind the rabbit's actions, with multiple competing views remaining present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about animal behavior, such as the understanding of automobile dangers and the effects of headlights, are mentioned but not fully explored or resolved.

Phrak
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I was driving home at 1AM and there's a dead rabbit in the road--on all fours.

Belatedly I hit the brakes, and the rabbit ended up somewhere under the front bumber. Dead rabbits don't sit on 4 legs do they?

I backed up. The dead rabbit didn't move.
I pulled up along side. The rabbit didn't move.
I opened the door and looked at it. The rabbit glanced back, then looked another way.
I shut the door and left.

A suicidal rabbit?
A thrill seeking rabbit?
A rabbit looking for God in the middle of a road?
 
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Whilst not particularly relevant to your question, but funny all the same: http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2006/suicide-bunny-p1.php
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ha! Awfully appropriate perhaps. Some many young rabbits seem not so interested in doing the rabbit thing.
 
Must be Bugs Bunny, nobody can run him over ;)
 
Hootenanny said:
Whilst not particularly relevant to your question, but funny all the same: http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2006/suicide-bunny-p1.php

Aww I forgot about them. Proof that childish doodling in school can one day make you money.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Phrak said:
I was driving home at 1AM and there's a dead rabbit in the road--on all fours.

Belatedly I hit the brakes, and the rabbit ended up somewhere under the front bumber. Dead rabbits don't sit on 4 legs do they?

I backed up. The dead rabbit didn't move.
I pulled up along side. The rabbit didn't move.
I opened the door and looked at it. The rabbit glanced back, then looked another way.
I shut the door and left.

A suicidal rabbit?
A thrill seeking rabbit?
A rabbit looking for God in the middle of a road?

Quite perplexing as we all know that rabbits understand the dangers of automobiles. :biggrin:

My theory is that he intended to bite your tires and give you a flat. That would teach you not to drive on his bed.
 
Hootenanny said:
Whilst not particularly relevant to your question, but funny all the same: http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2006/suicide-bunny-p1.php

I knew when I read the forum line that somebody would get this posted! :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rather than suicide, I rather think the rabbit was startled. This seems to be a defense mechanism. A rabbit will sit frozen hoping you haven't seen him if startled. At night headlights also tend to blind them I suppose.

Lyndon Johnson used to go rabbit hunting at night from a jeep on his ranch as I recall. Hardly a sporting proposition since the reflection of their eyes are like a sign that says "shoot here" as they sit still thinking they can't be seen.

Hitting one on the run on the other hand is a pretty good shot, if not a lucky one.
 

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