Water for Rabbits - Kindness - Bindweed The Dance For Water - News

This week we are going to explore rabbits and water.

Now about three weeks ago I installed an new automatic rabbit watering system with 1/2 inch PVC and nipple waterers all hooked to a float system hooked to a garden hose. The result of my efforts is a bit of an experiment involving some creativity in providing a constant source of water for my rabbits, while not requiring that I tend to their water needs manually every day. Before I explain that system, we are going to discuss water and other systems to water your rabbits.

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WATER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT
Although it seems almost like an afterthought when you consider rabbit care, potable and abundant water is vital for a rabbit to remain healthy. Rabbits should have constant access to water. The amount they drink varies greatly depending on the environment and their diet. A medium sized rabbit will drink around 50-300ml per day. Rabbits fed fresh foods or allowed to graze on grass will obtain much of their water requirement from this and may drink up 50% less than rabbits only fed on dry foods. Rabbits may also drink more in hot weather.
Rabbits require a lot more water than comparable species. For example, in one day a 5-pound rabbit drinks as much water as a 24-pound dog. In fact, the average rabbit consumes between 50 and 150 milliliters of water per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day.
The rabbit's body is made up of 50 to 75 percent water. Water forms the basis of blood and digestive fluids, and is contained in tissue, fat and bones. The rabbit's body can’t store extra water, and needs a fresh supply every day to make up for losses from the lungs, skin, urine and feces. Water is vital for most bodily functions, including:
⦁ Maintaining the health and integrity of every cell in the body.
⦁ Helping eliminate the byproducts of the body’s metabolism, such as electrolytes and urea.
⦁ Moistening mucous membranes, such as those of the lungs and mouth.
⦁ Lubricating and cushioning joints.
⦁ Aiding in digestion and preventing fecal impaction.
⦁ Carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells.
⦁ Keeping the bloodstream fluid enough to flow through blood vessels.
⦁ Serving as a shock absorption inside the eyes, spinal cord and in the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus in pregnancy.
Rabbits cannot endure water deprivation for more then 24 hours (even less during hot weather) without serious health consequences.
Simply put, rabbits must have access to fresh, clean water at all times in order to thrive.
Rabbits should be given pure water to drink, from the same source as you'd use for drinking water. This may seem boring to humans used to a wide range of beverages but it is the most natural and healthy option. Be wary of vitamins added to the water which may encourage your rabbit to drink excessively and are generally unnecessary if your rabbit eats a healthy diet. If you do use them and find your rabbit empties it's bowl/bottle after vitamins are added then refill the with plain water until the following day. Excess water and excess vitamins can effect your rabbits health.
The only exception to this rule is for sick rabbits at risk of dehydration when a small amount of pure unsweetened apple or carrot juice added to the water may encourage drinking.
What kind of water is best?
Most people offer their rabbits tap water. It is fresh, contains important minerals, and is generally safe to drink if you live in the US. If you suspect or fear bacteria or excessive amounts of chlorine, nitrate, or lead in the water (either due to the region you live in, a recent warning, or old pipes that may leak), filtering it before offering it to your bun can help reduce any risks. Water that has been sitting in the pipes for a while is also more likely to be contaminated, so letting it run for a minute or two before filling the bowl is a good idea. Also, using water from the “cold” tap is better, because there is a greater probability that hot water contains pollutants from the hot water tank.
If you live in a region with “hard” water full of calcium and have a rabbit that has kidney or bladder issues, you might want to filter the water or switch to bottled water instead. Volvic, Pure Life, or Deer Park are generally low on calcium and nitrates and are widely available brands.
If you are worried for yourself or your bunnies, testing the water is easy. Your water supplier might do it for you free of charge. Just give them a call! If not, there are testing kits available online as well as online service providers. According to the EPA, you should receive an annual report about your water in the mail. You might also be able to read about it online.
Some pet stores offer special water or nutrients that can be added to water. These are not recommended, because they are unnatural and contain way too many (synthetic) vitamins and minerals to be considered healthy. Unless your vet recommends one due to health issues, these should be avoided.
Rain water collected outside, either consumed from a puddle or brought inside in a bowl is not a good idea. This water contains dirt and harmful substances that have not been filtered. Well water is slightly better, because it mostly contains ground water filtered by layers of rocks and soil. However, it is difficult to control and keep harmful substances out for sure.
Water Temperature
Rabbits are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, so it’s best to offer water at room temperature.

Rabbit Water Bottles
A 600ml water bottle should provide adequate water for two small-medium rabbits for 24 hrs. If you've got multiple rabbits or the drink a lot, I'd suggest multiple bottles rather than bigger ones. It's also a good idea to consider a second bottle in summer, to provides a back up in case the water runs out and also if the bottle is knocked off. This is particularly useful if you work or are out during the day and unable to check on your rabbits.
There are two common types of spout on water bottles. The standard type are composed of a metal tube with several balls inside. Gravity locks the ball in the end of the tube until the rabbit it licks it pushing the ball up and allowing water to fall past. The most popular brand is Lixit (32oz $5 via Amazon).

These bottles are cheap and readily available, but they can be prone to leaking and some rabbits also find them frustrating and will bite & pull at the ends.
The other variety have a non drip sippy spout. These are also quieter so great if your rabbit is near your bedroom at you don't want to be woken in the middle of the night. This style bottle are generally made with wider tops that make filling and cleaning easier too. They do tend to be more expensive to purchase but are very durable. Ferplast sippy bottle ($15 Amazon) are the most readily available.

Attaching a Water Bottle
Most bottles are sold with a simple wire with hocks bent at the end to attach them to the cage/hutch mesh. Whilst these work they can be difficult to get on and off and position correctly to secure the bottle. A bottle spring, which is a spring with a hook each end which can be pulled back to slide the bottle in and out, makes changing water easier.
Bicycle Water Bottle Cage
If you need to attach a bottle in an area when there is no mesh the you can use bottle holders designed for cyclists. You will need to take a bottle with you to test to get the correct size.

Keep in mind that attaching the bottle on the inside where you rabbit has access means that they are susceptible to chewing.
Bottles can be cleaned using a bottle brush.

A more thorough cleaning can be done using sterilizing tablets sold for use on babies bottles. This type of cleaning should be done on any second hand bottles before use.
In winter water bottles are prone to freezing. There are a wide range of insulated bottle covers available designed to prevent this. They all do basically the same thing, just double check they will fit the style of bottle you have. The Scratch n Newton Snug ($15 via Amazon) is a little more expensive than some but it's the most versatile I've found.

It will fit round and square bottle of various sizes easily and it comes with a piece of stretchy elastic with hooks for attaching the bottle to the hutch mesh (which I find much easier to use than the standard bent wire bottle attachments). If you are on a budget, you can also make your own using bubble wrap and an old wool sock.
Although the covers protect the bottle, the spout can also freeze, so check the bottle regularly to make sure water still comes out.
Check the sipper tubes regularly to ensure that the water flow is unobstructed and free-flowing when touched. Check also for leaks underneath the bottle; a leaky bottle is often a sign that the sipper mechanism is clogged.
Algae requires light for growth so you can prevent build up by placing an opaque cover over it. This does have the draw back of making it difficult to see the water level at a glance.
Even though nothing can fall into a bottle and soil the water, it is much more difficult to clean, so bacteria and algae will often develop and soil any fresh water that gets added immediately.
Water Bowl
In the wild, rabbits will drink from water sources on the ground, so a water bowl is the most natural way of offering water to a bunny. A water bowl is undoubtedly a more natural way to drink and many rabbits will use them in preference to a bottle. The downside with water bowls is very easy for them to become soiled with bedding and litter, and can also be knocked over.
Studies have shown that a rabbit with access to both a water bowl and a water bottle will prefer the bowl. It’s much easier to drink out of, because the water doesn’t come out one drop at a time. Also, a bottle forces the rabbit to tilt the head up in an unnatural position, making it highly uncomfortable.
Bowls work best if your rabbit is indoors or you have room to place a bowl away from lose bedding/food or you are available to change the water regularly during the day. You can also provide both a bottle and a bowl so your rabbit has the option and a back up if they knock over their bowl. Which is what I started with in the beginning.

Using a water bowl presents several problems. If a rabbit’s dewlap is constantly wet from leaning over the water bowl, it could develop a skin infection. Breeds with pronounced dewlaps should definitely use a sipper tube. Water bowls are also more prone to contamination with fecal material or urine. The bowl must be checked, cleaned and replenished several times per day (as necessary). If you use a bowl for your rabbit’s water, choose one that heavy enough to prevent the rabbit from tipping it over.
Heavy ceramic bowls are the most rabbit-proof as plastic ones are often picked up and thrown around as toys. Ceramic might not be the snazziest colored bowls but they are easy to find, chunky and come in a range of sizes. One is 5" across and holds about 550ml but you can upgrade to dog sized if you need to hold more water. Be wary of placing ceramic bowls on a high level eg a second floor where they can be nudged over a ledge or down a ramp and get broken.
Some rabbits love to throw their bowls around or manage to quickly fill it with bedding, hay, or other material. In those cases, try placing the bowl on a slightly elevated surface away from bedding and hay. Choosing a heavy water bowl filled with water should prevent the rabbit from throwing it around. Or you could also get a bowl that can be attached to a cage wall. The really good ones come with a special holder, so you don’t have to unscrew the whole thing when you need to clean and refill the bowl.
If you do find you rabbits knocks their bowl over (or throw it) then a bowl that clips to the side of the cage (called Coop Cups - usually sold for birds) might work better for you.

They either come with hooks or two plates that fit each side of the mesh and screw together. The bowl lifts out of the fixings so it's easy to change the water.
it is recommended that your rabbit's water bowl should be made of ceramic or metal, because plastic bowls can scratch easily, and those scratches can become homes for unhealthy bacteria.
PROBLEMS WITH MANUAL WATERING OF RABBITS
Manual watering can be effective provided the rabbit caretaker is diligent and consistent in the task of providing ample clean water. If you are responsible for the care of more than a few rabbits, you will soon become aware of the time consuming task of providing quality water on a daily basis. Many pet-store types of water bottles must, on a daily basis, be completely disassembled and carried to a sink to be washed and refilled before being reassembled and hung back in place on the rabbit's cage. This process, when repeated more than a few times, can becomes tedious. Similarly, crocks or bowls must also be removed daily to be cleaned and refilled.
The task of keeping bottles and crocks free from slime molds and bacteria can be a challenge. They become prone to contamination from dirt and bacteria each time they are handled. If the bottles are clear or translucent in color, photosynthesis will occur and they will eventually grow algae if not regularly cleaned. Even if a bottle-brush is used, it may be difficult to consistently ensure the bottle is 100% clean. Crocks and bowls must also be similarly sanitized.
Furthermore, all of these manual methods provide a relatively limited supply of water. If they are amply sized, they may be adequate. However, the rabbit is dependent on the consistency of you to remember to refill the reservoirs. Even the most diligent rabbit caretakers may encounter an intervening factor that may break their consistent routine. Although it is a good practice to have a back-up water bottle on the cage as a reserve water supply, this does make for additional water containers to deal with.
When one must care for more than a few rabbits, it may be time to consider a more fail-safe method of providing continuous clean water. An automatic watering system can overcome all of the drawbacks of manual watering. It is less time consuming, more sanitary, less likely to be contaminated, and more consistent.
HOW DOES AN AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEM WORK?
An automatic watering system feeds low pressure water through tubes or pipes to miniature valves or drinking fountains (founts) that are attached to each cage at the proper drinking height. The rabbit licks or nibbles the small pivoting rod, which is the actual valve stem or lever. This opens the internal o-ring seal, and clean, fresh water will drip or dribble into the rabbit's mouth. When the rabbit is finished, the spring-loaded stem returns to position, which seals and closes the system off from contamination.
I started with the traditional rabbit water bottles until I could build the system that I wanted.
The first watering I used was a combination of bottles and bowls. The first winter I swapped bottles and bowls in the morning and in the evening. As you can image with a few rabbits this was labor intensive, but not to troublesome.
As I had more rabbits I used a five gallon gravity fed nipple water system. In the summer it worked great. In the winter I wrapped the lines with reflective tape, and added 36 feet of electric heat tape used to keep pipes from freezing. I then wrapped it in pipe insulation.

It worked, but I did have to reconfigure it because the nipples froze. I had to undo some of it and make sure that the heat tape was close to the nipples, but not too close that the rabbit could chew on it.
PIPING METHODS
The water delivery can be accomplished through common 1/2” PVC pipes or with flexible vinyl tubing. Both utilize opaque tubing or pipes so that daylight cannot enter and cause algae growth. For the same reason, clear tubing or pipes are never used.
The flexible tubing offers the benefit of being able to be assembled much quicker and reconfigured readily as needed. The tubing can be easily cut with scissors and slipped over barbed fittings. This method is best for stacking cages, cages of irregular sizes or locations, or cages where the setup may need to be moved or reconfigured.
By far the quickest method of installing an automatic watering system is to use a flexible tubing along with the Fount and Bracket assembly. The Barbed Fount slips through the bracket and inserts into the tubing. The bracket snaps onto the cage 4 to 6 inches above the cage floor, such that the fount protrudes into the cage. In this way, a complete system can be set up in a matter of minutes using only a pair of scissors. If the tubing is difficult to slip over the barbed fittings, particularly in cold weather, the tubing can be brought to room temperature or warmed slightly to make the job easier. I have used boiling water to soften the tubing to get it over a larger T. When finished, inspect the installation to ensure that no rabbit can bite the tubing and it cannot be easily bumped into or tripped on by the caretaker. If the tubing makes a very sharp 90° turn, use an elbow connector to prevent it from kinking.

The PVC pipe uses tees. This system works best in permanent setups that are not likely to be moved or changed regularly. It is considered the more heavy duty of the the two piping methods.
Using the PVC pipe is a fairly straightforward process. The pipe will be cut into sections and glued to Tees. It is recommended that each joint be cleaned with PVC primer, then glued using clear PVC glue. Use the glue dauber to thoroughly wet the inside of one end of the tee, but not so much that it runs. Then use the dauber to apply glue using at least four complete revolutions around the end of the pipe to be inserted. Care should be taken to ensure that all of the tees are oriented in the right direction. A very quick adjustment must be made as the glue will set very quickly.
The most recent for me is a 1/2 inch pipe with nipples into the cages. I used a toilet tank fill valve assembly to autofill a five gallon bucket with water. Don't make the filler hole too close to the side or you won't have room to install the toilet filler. Install the toilet filler valve with the parts that come in the package, just like you would for a toilet.
From there, I used PVC pipe to go into the rabbit hutch. The waterers seem to be 1/8 male tapered pipe threads, so I used a drill bit and tape to thread some PVC end caps. The waterer nipples are then screwed into these, and it seems to work pretty well. I drilled and tapped the end caps at a bit of an angle to make it easier for the rabbits to drink from them. I'd say it's about a 15 degree angle...and they seem to still seal well. The bucket is on the roof above the hutch to give head pressure. There are shut off's so I can drain the bucket or lines as needed. So far, the rabbits seem to take to it pretty well. And it makes keeping them well watered almost no effort at all.
STARTUP AND TROUBLE SHOOTING THE SYSTEM
When first turning on the water for the system it is a good practice to open up the drain valves at the end of each row slightly to allow air to escape. The next step is to walk along the row of cages and depress the stem on each fount, holding it long enough to allow any air bubbles to escape.
Check for any leaks and correct. If a fount is found to be dripping, press the valve stem all the way in and let go quickly so as to reset it. If the fount continues to leak it may be necessary to disassemble it and check to make sure that a piece of pipe or other debris did not become lodged against the o-ring. If you should have more than a few leaks, take each leak separately on a case-by-case basis and try to resolve it.
PROPER AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Approximately once a month, it is a good practice to open up the drain valve at the end of each line and allow it to flush for a couple of minutes. In doing so you will allow any settlement or other debris that has been captured in the pipe or tubing to flow out of the system. It is also a good idea to randomly check a few founts on a daily basis to ensure the water is flowing freely. If the fount has too much pressure, it may drip on its own or spray water when it's pressed; adjust the water pressure accordingly. Look for any founts that might be dripping or leaking, and correct them. It is also a good practice to periodically clean the tanks with a diluted bleach solution.
Over time, the founts should develop a hard water mineral buildup, which can be cleaned by soaking them overnight in a vinegar solution.
IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEMS FOR RABBITS?
Although the problems with automatic watering are few and far between, it is not a panacea. It will require some time in planning, sourcing water to the site, and initial trouble shooting, as well as periodic maintenance. Like any automated system, one cannot set it up and simply forget it. The maintenance of the system includes daily visual inspections, periodic adjustments, and periodic line flushing.
Of course, the payoff for all of this is hours upon hours of labor savings over time. Plus, it drastically reduces the risk of a rabbit being without water, or having unsanitary water. Surprisingly, the acquisition cost of an automatic watering system is often not much more than the cost of new water bottles or crocks. With the proper mindset toward system maintenance, automatic watering has relatively few drawbacks or risks compared to manual watering.

http://www.therabbithouse.com/equipment/rabbit-water.asp
http://bunnyapproved.com/water-bowl-and-bottle-options-for-rabbits/
https://www.petcha.com/rabbits-need-water/
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/rabbits/tips/rabbit_water.html
http://www.waldeneffect.org/blog/Watering_your_rabbits/
https://www.kwcages.com/a-guide-to-rabbit-watering-systems
http://tonybluegoat.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-build-automatic-rabbit-waterer.html?m=1
Word of the Week: Kindness
Plant of the week: Bindweed

FolkTale:
THE DANCE FOR WATER OR RABBIT'S TRIUMPH

THERE was a frightful drought. The rivers after a while dried tip and even the springs gave no water.
The animals wandered around seeking drink, but to no avail. Nowhere was water to be found.

A great gathering of animals was held: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Jackal, Elephant, all of them came together. What was to be done? That was the question. One had this plan, and another had that; but no plan seemed of value.

Finally one of them suggested: "Come, let all of us go to the dry river bed and dance; in that way we can tread out the water."

Good! Everyone was satisfied and ready to begin instantly, excepting Rabbit, who said, "I will not go and dance. All of you are mad to attempt to get water from the ground by dancing."

The other animals danced and danced, and ultimately danced the water to the surface. How glad they were. Everyone drank as much as he could, but Rabbit did not dance with them. So it was decided that Rabbit should have no water.

He laughed at them: "I will nevertheless drink some of your water."

That evening he proceeded leisurely to the river bed where the dance had been, and drank as much as he wanted. The following morning the animals saw the footprints of Rabbit in the ground, and Rabbit shouted to them: "Aha! I did have some of the water, and it was most refreshing and tasted fine."

Quickly all the animals were called together. What were they to do? How were they to get Rabbit in their hands? All had some means to propose; the one suggested this, and the other that.

Finally old Tortoise moved slowly forward, foot by foot: "I will catch Rabbit."

"You? How? What do you think of yourself?" shouted the others in unison.

"Rub my shell with pitch,[1] and I will go to the edge of the water and lie down. I will then resemble a stone, so that when Rabbit steps on me his feet will stick fast."

"Yes! Yes! That's good."

And in a one, two, three, Tortoise's shell was covered with pitch, and foot by foot he moved away to the river. At the edge, close to the water, he lay down and drew his head into his shell.

Rabbit during the evening came to get a drink. "Ha!" he chuckled sarcastically," they are, after all, quite decent. Here they have placed a stone, so now I need not unnecessarily wet my feet."

Rabbit trod with his left foot on the stone, and there it stuck. Tortoise then put his head out. "Ha! old Tortoise! And it's you, is it, that's holding me. But here I still have another foot. I'll give you a good clout." Rabbit gave Tortoise what he said he would with his right fore foot, hard and straight; and there his foot remained.
"I have yet a hind foot, and with it I'll kick you." Rabbit drove his bind foot down. This also rested on Tortoise where it struck.

"But still another foot remains, and now I'll tread you." He stamped his foot down, but it stuck like the others.

He used his head to hammer Tortoise, and his tail as a whip, but both met the same fate as his feet, so there he was tight and fast down to the pitch.

Tortoise now slowly turned himself round and foot by foot started for the other animals, with Rabbit on his back.

"Ha! ha! ha! Rabbit! How does it look now? Insolence does not pay after all," shouted the animals.

Now advice was sought. What should they do with Rabbit? He certainly must die. But how? One said, "Behead him"; another, "Some severe penalty."

"Rabbit, how are we to kill you?"

"It does not affect me," Rabbit said. "Only a shameful death please do not pronounce."

"And what is that?" they all shouted.

"To take me by my tail and dash my head against a stone; that I pray and beseech you don't do."

"No, but just so you'll die. That is decided."

It was decided Rabbit should die by taking him by his tail and dashing his head to pieces against some stone. But who is to do it?

Lion, because he is the most powerful one.

Good! Lion should do it. He stood up, walked to the front, and poor Rabbit was brought to him. Rabbit pleaded and beseeched that he couldn't die such a miserable death.

Lion took Rabbit firmly by the tail and swung him around. The white skin slipped off from Rabbit, and there Lion stood with the white bit of skin and hair in his paw. Rabbit was free.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/sft20.htm

News:
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/08/game-of-thrones-daenerys-coat-michele-clapton-interview-viserys
Game of Thrones: The Surprising Inspiration for Daenerys’s Stunning Winter Coat
The show’s Emmy-winning costume designer, Michele Clapton, tells all.
by
Joanna Robinson

For several seasons of Game of Thrones, we’ve watched Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons, the Unburnt, and Breaker of Chains, kick around the dusty corners of Essos in cool and light gowns befitting a desert queen. Since she came to Westeros, she’s been dressing much more sensibly for the blustery cliffs of Dragonstone. But in Season 7, Episode 6, winter officially came for Daenerys’s wardrobe—and it was fabulous. Though much ink has already been spilled about the dramatic white fur coat Daenerys wore beyond the Wall, costume designer Michele Clapton reveals to Vanity Fair a surprising fashion inspiration that most fans might have missed.

Cosplayers hoping to emulate Dany’s frosty look have their work cut out for them. Clapton explains that the coat is made of “fake leather strips, a long pile high-quality fake fur and a short pile white fake fur, and towards the hem we used rabbit fur. It is all stitched together in strips and then mounded onto a corset-style base.” That white fake fur—which moves bewitchingly on the wind throughout the episode—contrasts with a dramatic gold panel that runs all the way down the queen’s back.

That contrast of white and gold prompted some fans to wonder if Dany’s coat was meant to be a clever homage to her soon-to-be-lost dragon, Viserion. In the novels, Viserion (named for her brother Viserys) is sometimes called “the white dragon.” As George R.R. Martin wrote, in the voice of Dany: “The cream and gold I call Viserion. Viserys was cruel and weak and frightened, yet he was my brother still. His dragon will do what he could not.”

http://www.phillytrib.com/lifestyle/comic-reveals-her-dark-secrets-in-autobiography/article_c655dd7f-12a1-5f43-b23c-1ead5fed90e1.html

“Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat” (Dey Street Books; $25.99) reveals comedian Patricia Williams’ remarkable life journey, from growing up in a tough Atlanta neighborhood to becoming an in-demand performer.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-insurance-provided-by-ethiopian-livestock_us_59a03b47e4b0cb7715bfd4ed

The Insurance Provided by Ethiopian Livestock
08/25/2017 11:40 am ET

Livestock plays a vital role in the lives of millions of rural poor smallholder farming families in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of animals to farming fortunes really cannot be overstated.

On small farms all over Africa, animals fulfill a number of roles - providing drought power to plow the land, manure to fertilize the soil, transport to carry goods to market. Animals also supply milk and meat, an essential protein and nutrition source for families.

Indeed, for rural poor families, animals act as a form of ‘on-the-hoof family savings’ – they may also be sold to provide households with funds to cover costs such as children’s education, or when cash is needed for a family event, such as a wedding or funeral.
When we think of animals, we don’t usually think ‘insurance’, but here, livestock is a form of household insurance that may also be sold when harvests fail to produce sufficient food.

http://www.dailyastorian.com/ear/20170825/in-one-ear-bunny-brigade

In One Ear: Bunny brigade
Bunnies here, bunnies there, bunnies everywhere
By Elleda Wilson
The Daily Astorian
Published on August 25, 2017 12:01AM

Once again, Portland has been out-weirded. Valdez, Alaska, is in the news for an unusual problem: It’s been overrun by rabbits, the Alaska News Dispatch reports, although no one seems to know how or why it happened — it’s not exactly a rabbit-friendly environment, after all.

One of the stranger rumors of how the rabbit bloom came about is that groups of rabbits were set free in the 1980s to entertain tourists. Maybe even several times. That one kind of takes the cake as far as theories go.

No matter how they arrived, the rabbits are there to stay. Some residents hate them, their poop, and their veggie garden raids, and some love them, coddle them and feed them all winter. Since the city code doesn’t yet address feral domesticated rabbits as “deleterious exotic wildlife,” it’s a full on bunny bonanza in Valdez. For now.

http://mymetmedia.com/mettv/denver-goes-down-the-rabbit-hole/

Denver goes down the rabbit hole

By Avery Anderson on August 24, 2017

Take an unexpected trip down the rabbit hole with “White Rabbit Red Rabbit” the most unique and original theatrical production currently in Denver.

Although the title makes one think of “Alice in Wonderland” and her adventures that is not what this production is.

This show by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour is a conversation between the actor, audience and Soleimanpour himself. As the show unfolds he tells the story of a red rabbit and white rabbits and how they relate to the audience.
Soleimanpour has never seen his play performed as he does not have a passport and is forbidden to leave the country. Luckily though, his work was able to make it out and is now traveling the world.
Frequent theatergoers might be shocked at the unconventional instructions of the show. Usually patrons are instructed to turn off their phones and stay in their seats; Not at “White Rabbit Red Rabbit.” The audience is asked to leave their phones on as they will need them and are called up during the show to help the actor perform.
The largest difference between Soleimanpour’s play and others is that once an actor has performed in the show they can never do it again. Meaning that every performance has a new actor who has never seen the show or read the script before.
Once the whole audience is seated, the actor for the night is handed a sealed envelope with the script inside. When the show begins they are able to open the script and perform as they read.
Pipedream Productions is staging this interesting and ever changing show with some of the best local talent that Denver has to offer. Those who have already performed include Anthony Adu, Adrian Egolf and Emma Messenger. Still to take the journey are Andrew and Kelly Uhlenhopp, Chloe McLeod and many more.
The show ran for nine months in New York City with actors such as Darren Criss (American Horror Story), Nathan Lane (The Producers) and Whoopi Goldberg (The View).
Emma Messenger was able to perform this show beautifully the night I attended. She kept the audience engaged and incorporate her iconic satirical humor and facial expressions, making the audience laugh and feel at ease.
If you want a night at the theater with a full scale production then this is not it. “White Rabbit Red Rabbit” is, in essence, an improvised script reading. There are some set pieces and a couple of stage direction notes for the actors, but it is up to the performer to create the world with just one glance. If you want something that is unlike anything you have seen before then take a trip down the rabbit hole.

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