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On the Trail of the Jackalope: How a Legend Captured the World's Imagination and Helped Us Cure Cancer
The never-before-told story of the horned rabbit—the myths, the hoaxes, the very real scientific breakthrough it inspired—and how it became a cultural touchstone of the American West.
Just what is a jackalope? Purported to be part jackrabbit and part antelope, the jackalope began as a local joke concocted by two young brothers in a small Wyoming town during the Great Depression. Their creation quickly spread around the U.S., where it now regularly appears as innumerable forms of kitsch—wall mounts, postcards, keychains, coffee mugs, shot glasses, and so on. A vast body of folk narratives has carried the jackalope’s fame around the world to inspire art, music, film, even erotica!
Although the jackalope is an invention of the imagination, it is nevertheless connected to actual horned rabbits, which exist in nature and have for centuries been collected and studied by naturalists. Around the time the two young boys were creating the first jackalope in Wyoming, Dr. Richard Shope was making his first breakthrough about the cause of the a virus. When the virus that causes rabbits to grow “horns” (a keratinous carcinoma) was first genetically sequenced in 1984, oncologists were able to use that genetic information to make remarkable, field-changing advances in the development of anti-viral cancer therapies. The most important of these is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical and other cancers. Today, jackalopes are literally helping us cure cancer.
For fans of David Quammen’s The Song of the Dodo , Jon Mooallem’s Wild Ones , or Jeff Meldrum's Sasquatch, Michael P. Branch's remarkable On the Trail of the Jackalope is an entertaining and enlightening road trip through the heart of America.
Just what is a jackalope? Purported to be part jackrabbit and part antelope, the jackalope began as a local joke concocted by two young brothers in a small Wyoming town during the Great Depression. Their creation quickly spread around the U.S., where it now regularly appears as innumerable forms of kitsch—wall mounts, postcards, keychains, coffee mugs, shot glasses, and so on. A vast body of folk narratives has carried the jackalope’s fame around the world to inspire art, music, film, even erotica!
Although the jackalope is an invention of the imagination, it is nevertheless connected to actual horned rabbits, which exist in nature and have for centuries been collected and studied by naturalists. Around the time the two young boys were creating the first jackalope in Wyoming, Dr. Richard Shope was making his first breakthrough about the cause of the a virus. When the virus that causes rabbits to grow “horns” (a keratinous carcinoma) was first genetically sequenced in 1984, oncologists were able to use that genetic information to make remarkable, field-changing advances in the development of anti-viral cancer therapies. The most important of these is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical and other cancers. Today, jackalopes are literally helping us cure cancer.
For fans of David Quammen’s The Song of the Dodo , Jon Mooallem’s Wild Ones , or Jeff Meldrum's Sasquatch, Michael P. Branch's remarkable On the Trail of the Jackalope is an entertaining and enlightening road trip through the heart of America.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
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1818 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 3, 2022
Unfortunately it seems the only other reviews on this seems to be very much spam messages! The book is actually very interesting read and not something I've giving much thought of before. I've seen painting's of a Jackalope before but didn't know it was a whole myth and legends and so much to explore around it. I picked it up as it looked interesting but was still surprised how invested and interested I ended up with it and it has the best pictures and painted ones I've seen in a book in the longest time!
on-hold-will-resume-later
April 26, 2022If I gave out awards for my favorite book covers, this one would be a 2022 contender.
I grabbed it, looked at the title, chuckled and then thought, "Wait, what?" and read the dustjacket.
Thanks to jackalopes or, more specifically, horned rabbits, we have a vaccine for HPV.
Jackalopes are from my region - you find them in gift shops all along the Rocky Mountain range - so I feel pretty proud that they are being so helpful to humanity.
I grabbed it, looked at the title, chuckled and then thought, "Wait, what?" and read the dustjacket.
Thanks to jackalopes or, more specifically, horned rabbits, we have a vaccine for HPV.
Jackalopes are from my region - you find them in gift shops all along the Rocky Mountain range - so I feel pretty proud that they are being so helpful to humanity.
May 22, 2022
I’m pretty sure it was in Nebraska that I saw my first jackalope. I was a city kid and, after realizing the joke was on me, I wanted them to be real. They still make me smile when I see one.
On the Trail of the Jackalope is a delightful read about all things jackalope. I had no idea about where they came from or that other countries have their own versions. This book is a fascinating combination of history, humor, travelogue, and the science surrounding the jackalope's probable inspiration from nature (rabbits infected with a virus that causes them to grow horns).
Based on the author’s extensive research — from interviews at roadside museums to exploring international folktales & mythology about horned rabbits to the scientific discovery of the HPV vaccine — each chapter offers fascinating and often fun information about the jackalope and its meaning to people. The writing style is clear and conversational. Branch is a great storyteller who is obviously passionate about jackalopes. I’d recommend this book to general nonfiction readers and those who like nature and/or science writing, animals, Americana, and folklore.
On the Trail of the Jackalope is a delightful read about all things jackalope. I had no idea about where they came from or that other countries have their own versions. This book is a fascinating combination of history, humor, travelogue, and the science surrounding the jackalope's probable inspiration from nature (rabbits infected with a virus that causes them to grow horns).
Based on the author’s extensive research — from interviews at roadside museums to exploring international folktales & mythology about horned rabbits to the scientific discovery of the HPV vaccine — each chapter offers fascinating and often fun information about the jackalope and its meaning to people. The writing style is clear and conversational. Branch is a great storyteller who is obviously passionate about jackalopes. I’d recommend this book to general nonfiction readers and those who like nature and/or science writing, animals, Americana, and folklore.
May 23, 2022
I have no idea why I picked up this book (other than the Wyoming tie-in), but the time it took me to read it sure shows that it wasn't because I was super-interested in the ideas! Some chapters read like Wikipedia entries on "movies/songs/paintings with jackalopes." The tie to cancer research was interesting.
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2022 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge - Set in a state you were born
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2022 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge - Set in a state you were born
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2024
This was a book club choice. And the author came an spoke to us about it and we had a discussion. It was fun. The book was fun. Having lived in the West since the 1970's I was aware of the Jackalope but I had no knowledge of its history so, this was a lot of fun to read. I even found a "field guide" that tells you all about these amazing (!) animals. I also found out that we don't have antelopes in NV! Our pronghorns are a different species all together which I thought was really cool. A good choice for our club.
October 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this deep dive into the history of the jackalope, how it is told in stories, and the story of how they helped cure cancer. This was a super fun read, the author is hilarious, and I loved hearing his passion and humor come through. It took me pretty long to read it because I got caught on the few chapters where he just listed folktales of jackalopes and where they're found in the media, but it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the rest of this. I love the jackalope even more now as a Wyoming native, and I've loved sharing the information I learned from it.
September 15, 2024
Cool concept and some really solid fun facts, but the execution was lacking. The author relied on biography when research was insufficient, which bugged me.
April 18, 2022
What an interesting history of America’s beloved legendary critter. The author examines how the Jackalope came to be fabricated, as well as providing an interesting glimpse into “horned rabbits” that could conceivably be the inspiration for taxidermy mounts. I was totally unfamiliar with the horned rabbits, and the link to the virus that causes this condition. The science behind the research into the causes (and subsequent cures) for virus-caused cancers was enlightening.
I particularly liked how the author always asks his interviewed subject “why do people love jackalopes?” Because, you just can’t help but smile when seeing one, right?
I particularly liked how the author always asks his interviewed subject “why do people love jackalopes?” Because, you just can’t help but smile when seeing one, right?
May 19, 2025
Interesting examination of the legend and origins of the jackalope. While the sections tying the myth of the jackalope into cancer research wer interesting and grounded the subject matter in reality, it spent a little too much time on the medical side of things for my taste. Additionally, the chapter about a woman who died of cancer, that while heartwarming and sentimental, really didn't tie into the whole jackalope mythology that much and felt like a side drift from the main thrust of the book to me; more scientifically minded jackalope enthusiasts may enjoy and find this section of the book fascinating, though.
I, personally, would have liked more focus on the wide-ranging mythology from other countries (there was basically a chapter just mentioning all the various incarnations of the horned rabbit worldwide). Then again perhaps the main purpose of this tome is to excite and encourage both casual and quasi-knowledgeable jackalope fans to dig futher into the lore. So, as a primer on the subject, it's pretty damn bueno.
One reason it took me so long to read/finish this book is that I kept pausing my progress to look up a lot of the artists, authors, and historical figures that were mentioned in the book. So one can definitely find themselves falling down the jackalope warren and getting lost in there (which isn't a bad thing, mind you!).
I, personally, would have liked more focus on the wide-ranging mythology from other countries (there was basically a chapter just mentioning all the various incarnations of the horned rabbit worldwide). Then again perhaps the main purpose of this tome is to excite and encourage both casual and quasi-knowledgeable jackalope fans to dig futher into the lore. So, as a primer on the subject, it's pretty damn bueno.
One reason it took me so long to read/finish this book is that I kept pausing my progress to look up a lot of the artists, authors, and historical figures that were mentioned in the book. So one can definitely find themselves falling down the jackalope warren and getting lost in there (which isn't a bad thing, mind you!).
June 11, 2024
I've always been fascinated by creatures of folklore, but I never paid much attention to the whimsical jackalope. What thought I gave to them at all amounted to an assumption that they were little more than a gag, or marketing gimmick--the animal-equivalent of s Mystery Spot tourist trap, where you pay ten bucks to see architectural tricks that make it seem like physics is broken. That is, a hoax for the gullible, with nothing more substantial behind it. But it was the subtitle of this book, the part about curing cancer, that made me give it a shot.
Leaving the medical implications aside for a moment, On the Trail of the Jackalope confirms that jackalopes, as a whole, are a hoax, while simultaneously delving into their creation, the meanings they hold for people, and the surprising cultural impact they've had in the 90+ years since the first jackalope mount was fabricated. Jackalopes are a hoax in the same way that professional wrestling is a hoax: It all might be for show, but there's an undeniable artistry beneath the surface that resonates with people. This book is worth it, just for the extensive exploration into the history of how the jackalope came to be. Which is good, because that's like 75% of the page count.
The part about cancer only comes into play in the last quarter of the book, and while it's interesting, it certainly isn't the main focus. Simply put, "horned" rabbits do exist, their growths are the result of a cancer-causing virus, and they've had a huge impact on cancer research. It's fascinating stuff, and an element of real-world importance that I don't think I've ever seen before in a book about folklore or cryptids.
If you like the stranger, quirkier sides of history, On the Trail of the Jackalope is easy to recommend. It's a witty, interesting, and endlessly offbeat dive into the unexpectedly rich and convoluted story surrounding these strange little fabricated creatures, and an absolute delight to read.
Leaving the medical implications aside for a moment, On the Trail of the Jackalope confirms that jackalopes, as a whole, are a hoax, while simultaneously delving into their creation, the meanings they hold for people, and the surprising cultural impact they've had in the 90+ years since the first jackalope mount was fabricated. Jackalopes are a hoax in the same way that professional wrestling is a hoax: It all might be for show, but there's an undeniable artistry beneath the surface that resonates with people. This book is worth it, just for the extensive exploration into the history of how the jackalope came to be. Which is good, because that's like 75% of the page count.
The part about cancer only comes into play in the last quarter of the book, and while it's interesting, it certainly isn't the main focus. Simply put, "horned" rabbits do exist, their growths are the result of a cancer-causing virus, and they've had a huge impact on cancer research. It's fascinating stuff, and an element of real-world importance that I don't think I've ever seen before in a book about folklore or cryptids.
If you like the stranger, quirkier sides of history, On the Trail of the Jackalope is easy to recommend. It's a witty, interesting, and endlessly offbeat dive into the unexpectedly rich and convoluted story surrounding these strange little fabricated creatures, and an absolute delight to read.
July 18, 2023
All through my childhood I took an annual road trip from WA to MN to visit family. The highlight of a three-day road trip was always a visit to Wall Drug in Wall, SD. Wall Drug is chock full of kitschy ephemera (aka, junk) but chief among the treasures to be found there are various jackalope themed items: from mounts to postcards, snow globes to hunting licenses - Wall Drug had it all. Thanks to Wall's diabolical marketing, the jackalope was seared upon my young impressionable soul, and thus I picked up this book.
On the Trail of the Jackalope is a pop-level look at the history and legend of the North American jackalope. It touches on its origin and growth as a taxidermy wonder and its spread to North American legend. Wall Drug gets a nice write up, but perhaps the most interesting aspect is a look at the connection between cancerous horn-like growths on rabbits and their role in cancer research. Overall, an enjoyable and informative look at the jackalope.
On the Trail of the Jackalope is a pop-level look at the history and legend of the North American jackalope. It touches on its origin and growth as a taxidermy wonder and its spread to North American legend. Wall Drug gets a nice write up, but perhaps the most interesting aspect is a look at the connection between cancerous horn-like growths on rabbits and their role in cancer research. Overall, an enjoyable and informative look at the jackalope.
April 19, 2023
This is a nonfiction book about a fictional creature. The author, a jackalope enthusiast, explores the horned rabbit from a myriad of perspectives including folklore and tall tales, hoaxes, taxidermy, kitsch vs camp, cryptozoology, and even medicine.
I thought this was a very thorough and lovingly written ode to the jackalope and all the ways this horned rabbit of legend touches the real world. I did have a couple hang-ups (mostly the way the subjects were organized and the journalistic writing style, which I found distracting and which I felt unnecessarily distanced the writer from both the subject and me as the reader). Overall, I did enjoy the book. I found it methodical with a touch of whimsy.
Heads Up: This book may not be for everyone. It includes detailed descriptions of diseased rabbits and taxidermy, which some readers may find upsetting.
I thought this was a very thorough and lovingly written ode to the jackalope and all the ways this horned rabbit of legend touches the real world. I did have a couple hang-ups (mostly the way the subjects were organized and the journalistic writing style, which I found distracting and which I felt unnecessarily distanced the writer from both the subject and me as the reader). Overall, I did enjoy the book. I found it methodical with a touch of whimsy.
Heads Up: This book may not be for everyone. It includes detailed descriptions of diseased rabbits and taxidermy, which some readers may find upsetting.
April 28, 2022
On the Trail of the Jackalope is a wonderful odyssey. It a detective's pursuit of a mystery. It is a storyteller's exploration of the art of storytelling. It is a seeker's journey to understand their world. It is a thoughtful traveler making connections among things seen along the way.
This odyssey includes many fun diversions and unexpected revelations in bars, hostelries, and waysides along roads that run through folk culture and the worlds of science and medicine.
I've been inspired to drive through Douglas, Wyoming as I travel across the country in a few months, hoping that I will encounter one of these horned critters, or at least catch a glimpse of the myth.
This odyssey includes many fun diversions and unexpected revelations in bars, hostelries, and waysides along roads that run through folk culture and the worlds of science and medicine.
I've been inspired to drive through Douglas, Wyoming as I travel across the country in a few months, hoping that I will encounter one of these horned critters, or at least catch a glimpse of the myth.
July 2, 2022
Terrific! I really enjoyed the tall tales spun by a quirky group of jackalope aficionados from all corners. The arcane details of jackalope lore, the descriptions of taxidermy studios, the surprising episodes set in state-of-the-art virology labs - all of these make for a hugely entertaining read. And Michael Branch, as narrator and travel guide and skeptic, is simply great company across these pages.
February 24, 2023
This was a really fun read. I especially loved the stories about interactions the author had with jackalope enthusiasts ranging from taxidermists to folklore experts to people who just love to spread a tall tale. The author's nerdy obsession with all things jackalope is a trait close to my own heart and the humor and wit with which he writes kept me turning the pages. The final chapters discuss real-life horned rabbits and the fascinating way they contributed to important cancer research.
July 17, 2025
There is always a grain of truth in every legend. This starts out talking about the history and legend of the Jackalope and where it originated. Then, in chapters 8 and 9, it delves into the medical aspect in depth. The cancer cured is HPV; there are so many strains of it, but the main ones are HPV 16 and 18, which cause 75% of cancer deaths. Long story short- get vaccinated, and get your kids vaccinated.
May 1, 2022
I’ve lived most of my life in “Jackalope country,” but have never really given much thought to the origin story of the horned rabbits. Michael P. Branch does an excellent job of weaving a narrative together that not only traces the origins of the myth, but how it connects to real-life “horned” bunnies and medical research. This was very readable and a fascinating look at a little-known subject.
May 10, 2022
I won a copy of this book.
This book was just as much fun as I had hoped it would be. Such a weird and quirky thing, the Jackalope. Was it just a happy accident or are there actual cases of rabbits growing antlers? This book answers those questions and leads the reader on a winding, bizarre, and entertaining tale.
This book was just as much fun as I had hoped it would be. Such a weird and quirky thing, the Jackalope. Was it just a happy accident or are there actual cases of rabbits growing antlers? This book answers those questions and leads the reader on a winding, bizarre, and entertaining tale.
December 17, 2025
Honestly some of the research and lore are interesting but after reading the Authors Note or Prologue you've figured out how the Myth helped with Cancer. Unfortunately, the author seems to be a huge fan of "fluff". In a poor attempt to seem profound he is often guilty of redundancy and worse the over use of lists.
September 15, 2022
I don't know what it was, given that this was written pretty clearly with obvious joy in its subject, but I don't care if I never see the word "jackalope" again. In fact I'd prefer not to. I guess I hate them.
December 7, 2022
didn’t expect this book to make me cry, but it did. also laughed a lot. appreciated the bit about hoaxes. while i will say it is a bit off putting to read about a bunny being flayed, it was overall an absolute journey
February 28, 2023
Fascinating and very detailed account of the folklore and history of the fabled jackalope. The author takes us to the beginning of the story and finds the kernel of truth as to why it started and the very interesting connection to the human papilloma virus.
September 4, 2024
About the author’s lifelong obsession with the Jackalope myth and its relationship to the horned rabbit and the cancer cure research centered around the cause of rabbits’ horns which was a virus.
The book was a dud for me. Abandoned / DNF.
The book was a dud for me. Abandoned / DNF.
April 9, 2022
Interesting - I have always been familiar with the Jackalope but never really thought about the origins or history behind it. it has quite a history.
April 16, 2022
Very enjoyable read on an unusual topic
June 24, 2022
3.5 stars. Went to hear the author talk and enjoyed the talk and the book!
June 26, 2022
Not nearly as good as the book about beavers, but fun enough.
August 16, 2022
What a wonderful combination of humour and science. Michael Branch has a knack for telling a good story.
September 6, 2022
A fun read that somehow transitions from the mythical jackalope to human papilloma virus.
September 6, 2022
Another enjoyable Branch romp, this one researching in great detail the mysterious jackalope of western folklore.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews