“Who Smarted?” Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: What's the Difference between Rabbits, Bunnies & Hares?

Release Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Trusty Narrator (Atomic Entertainment/Starglow Media)
Guest: Suggs Bunny (character), Farmer Fudd (character)

Episode Overview

This episode of “Who Smarted?” is a fun, fact-filled journey into the world of rabbits, bunnies, and hares. Through a mix of comedic character voices, trivia questions, and storytelling, the podcast explores the differences (and similarities) between these adorable animals. Along the way, listeners learn about their biology, behavior, habitats, and even why rabbits have a complicated history in Australia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction & Encounter with Suggs Bunny

• Trusty, out for a nature hike, spots a wild rabbit (02:19).
• Introduction of Suggs Bunny, who quickly displays both wit and a mischievous side by requesting help hiding watercress from Farmer Fudd (03:00–04:26).
• The comedic character Farmer Fudd appears, continuing the cartoon homage and playful banter (03:28–04:04).

Rabbit Basics: Species, History, and Range

• Number of Rabbit Species:
  • “There are 29 species of rabbits belonging to the family of Leporidae.” – Suggs Bunny (05:31)
• Rabbit Fossils:
  • First well-documented in the Eocene epoch, about 40 million years ago.
  • Trivia for listeners: smartypants, do you know how long ago that was? (05:49–06:06)
• Global Range:
  • Rabbits now live in 70 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
  • “It's simply too cold for rabbits to live there.” (06:41)
  • Personal quirk: Suggs refuses to go to Australia, with a mysterious reason to be revealed later.

Differences Between Rabbits, Bunnies, and Hares

• Terminology:
  • “Bunny is just another name for rabbit. But therein lies the problem—names…” – Suggs Bunny (08:08)
  • Example confusion: Jackrabbits are hares, while some animals called ‘hares’ are rabbits (08:15–08:23)
• Physical and Behavioral Differences:
  • “Rabbits are smaller and have shorter ears than hares. Rabbits also tend to hide rather than run from predators. We prefer habitats with trees and shrubs… Hares prefer open prairies or plains.” – Suggs Bunny (07:43)
  • “Rabbits also tend to hide rather than run from predators. Remember what I said about being stealthy?” (07:42)
• Not All Rabbits Look Alike:
  • Notable exceptions like the black Amami rabbit of Japan, black-striped rabbits of Southeast Asia, and huge variety in domesticated breeds (09:00–09:32).
  • Trivia: There are 191 unique breeds of domesticated rabbits.
    • “When you say all rabbits look alike. I say look again, sir. Look again.” – Suggs Bunny (09:41–10:10)
• Memorable Moment:
  • Rapid-fire, joke-filled explanation of “rabbit-brained” vs. “hare-brained” distinctions:
    • Suggs Bunny: “A rabbit is rabbit brain, while a hare is har… I slay me. Get it? Rabbit brained. Hare brained.” (07:13–07:22)

Rabbit Diet & Digestive Oddities

• Diet:
  • Mostly grasses and forbs (flowering plants not considered grass).
  • “Rabbits, both wild and domesticated, are strict vegetarians.” – Suggs Bunny (08:31)
  • Other foods: bok choy, brussels sprouts, lettuce, carrot tops (13:41)
• Digestive Adaptation—Coprophagy:
  • Unforgettable Fact: “To get all the vitamins and nutrients from the plants we eat, we sometimes have to eat poo.” – Suggs Bunny (14:33–14:46)
  • Rabbits produce two types of droppings—one (hard) is not eaten, the other (soft) is re-consumed to fully digest nutrients (15:08–15:36).
  • “Even if it means eating your do do. But how does eating your poop help you?” – Trusty (15:08–15:16)

Why Rabbits Are Unwelcome in Australia

• Historical Context:
  • Invasive species since introduction in the 1850s, causing agricultural devastation and extinctions (15:50–16:19).
  • “There’s been bad blood between us ever since 1859, when wild European rabbits were introduced to Australia… We caused extensive agricultural damage and precipitated the extinction of certain native flora and fauna.” – Suggs Bunny (15:50–16:19)
• Control Efforts:
  • 1950s: Virus from South American cottontails wipes out 99% of Australian rabbits, but survivors develop immunity.
  • Ongoing control: biological means, poisoning, hunting, warren destruction (16:19–17:08).
• Personal Punchline:
  • “Now you know why Australia is on the no-go list. But it’s a great place for smarty pants. Oh, and speaking of invasive species, here comes that nosy farmer again.” – Suggs Bunny (17:13–17:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Names:
  • “Mr. Rabbit's my father's name. Call me Suggs, Bunny.” – Suggs Bunny (02:57)
• On Hares and Rabbits:
  • “Rabbits are smaller and have shorter ears than hares. Rabbits also tend to hide rather than run from predators.” – Suggs Bunny (07:43)
• Comedy Highlight:
  • “A rabbit is rabbit brain, while a hare is har… I slay me. Get it? Rabbit brained. Hare brained.” – Suggs Bunny (07:13–07:22)
• On Australia's Rabbit Problem:
  • “What I’m saying is we never should have been there in the first place. Humans introduced us without asking.” – Suggs Bunny (16:29)
  • “99% of the Australian rabbits died before they developed immunity and regrew the population.” – Suggs Bunny (16:51)
• Digestive Ewww:
  • “Fine. It’s true. It’s all true. To get all the vitamins and nutrients from the plants we eat, we sometimes have to eat poo.” – Suggs Bunny (14:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Suggs Bunny Introduction & Initial Banter: 02:19–04:26
• How Long Have Rabbits Existed—Fossil Record: 05:31–06:07
• Rabbit Global Range/Australia Tease: 06:07–07:00
• Rabbit vs. Hare vs. Bunny Differences: 07:07–08:23
• Physical Variety of Rabbits—Breed Numbers: 09:15–10:10
• What Rabbits Eat (and Digestive Quirkiness): 13:19–15:36
• Invasive Rabbits in Australia: 15:44–17:13

Episode Tone & Language

The tone is playful, witty, and accessible for kids and families. Characters interact through puns (“rabbit-brained”), direct questions for the audience (“Hey, smarty pants!”), and break the fourth wall with jokes and comedic confessions. The show’s signature humor keeps even potentially “gross” topics (rabbit coprophagy) light and engaging.

Final Takeaway

This episode delivers a smart, laugh-out-loud exploration of the fascinating world of rabbits, bunnies, and hares. With vivid characters and clever storytelling, “Who Smarted?” provides clear science, memorable facts, and fun trivia, making it a perfect choice for curious kids, parents, and teachers alike.