Wolpertinger - Grey - Fourth Hour

The cryptid known as the Wolpertinger is said to reside in Germany. This cryptid is known to resemble the American cryptid called the jackaloupe. Their predominant features are its horns (or antlers) that it shares with its American cousin. The wolpertinger is said to have bird wings (it is not known if they function), duck feet, and large fangs. It may look similar to the cotton tail rabbit. I do not believe in this cryptid.

There is not much credible evidence for the wolpertinger. A virus (papillomavirus) that causes bone like warts to grow on the head of the cottontail rabbit is probably responsible for the jackaloupe and contributed to the wolpertinger. The cottontail rabbit does not live in Germany but the virus can infect other species of rabbits that may live in Germany. The wolpertinger has been repeatedly sited in Germany for centuries.

The evidence against has been the usual evidence against cryptids. There is no consensus on appearance. The wings and duck feet are left out in some reported sightings but the fangs and horns are usually in the description. There has never been a scientific specimen of the wolpertinger. The Wolpertinger does not seem to have a possible ecological niche. Rabbits have evolved alongside species of birds but macroevolution does not seem to be a factor in how a rabbit could have wings or duck feet.

The wolpertinger, I believe, does not exist. All the evidence for the wolpertinger is refuted because of the evidence against the wolpertinger. My main reason for disbelief is that there has never been a scientific specimen. In the centuries of sightings in Germany there has never been a specimen with the necessary characteristics. The wolpertinger is an exaggerated legend that originated with rabbits that were exposed to the papillomavirus.

Resources

Wolpertinger, 4/3/09, http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/animals/comments/4289/
Cryptomundo, 4/3/09, http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/cameron-7/ Figure 1
Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, 4/4/09, http://www.ebi.ac.uk/2can/genomes/viruses/Cottontail_rabbit_papillomavirus.html
Cottontail rabbit, 4/4/09, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/cottontail-rabbit.html
Jackalope.html, 4/8/09, http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~hollidac/jackalope.html