Legendary Beginnings
Which country is credited with starting the "Easter Hare" tradition?
Germany
What determines if a chicken egg is white, brown, or blue?
Genetics and the breed of the hen
In some parts of Germany, it is illegal to do what on Good Friday?
Dance in Public
Before the bunny became the star, what animal did Westphalia, Germany, use as a mascot?
A fox
Connection to Lore: It is thought the Easter Fox may be linked to the older "Pentecost Fox" (Pfingstfuchs) tradition, where a fox was led around to collect donated eggs in early spring.
What is a female rabbit called?
A doe
Which civilization first exchanged eggs during spring thousands of years ago?
The Persians or Egyptians
Which animal lays the smallest egg in the world?
The Bee Hummingbird
*roughly the size of a coffee bean or a small pea
In the 17th century, why did some people believe you should bury an Easter egg in your garden?
To protect the house from lightning strikes and fire
In Switzerland, what bird is famous for delivering the eggs?
The Cuckoo
What is the most common color for a rabbit in the wild?
Brown or Agouti
What was the original color of Easter eggs used to symbolize life?
Red
Which animal lays the largest egg in the world?
The Ostrich
Why did early Christians in some regions avoid eating eggs during the 40 days of Lent?
Because eggs were considered "meat" or animal products, which led to a massive surplus of eggs by the time Easter Sunday arrived!
In Sweden, children dress up as what for Easter?
Easter Witches
How many degrees can a rabbit see without turning its head?
Nearly 360 degrees
Why does the Easter Bunny lay eggs?
Legend says the goddess Eostre turned a bird into a hare and it kept the ability to lay eggs
How many eggs does a typical hen lay in a year?
250 to 300
It was believed that if you ate a hard-boiled egg on Easter morning, you would be protected from what medical condition?
Snake Bites
In Germany, they decorate "Ostereierbaum," which are what?
Easter Egg Trees
What do you call a group of rabbits?
A fluffle
While this term is popular for its description of their soft, fluffy nature, they are also referred to as a colony, herd, nest, or warren. A group of baby rabbits is called a litter
Eostre was the Germanic goddess of which two things?
Spring and Dawn
What is the official study of birds' eggs called?
Oology
Oology is the official scientific study of birds' eggs, nests, and breeding behavior, derived from the Greek oion (egg). It is a branch of ornithology that historically involved collecting, but now focuses on analyzing eggshell structure, color, and size to understand species, evolution, and environmental health.
What did 19th-century superstitious folks believe would happen if you cut your hair on Good Friday?
It was believed to prevent headaches for the entire year.
In Finland, what do children carry to houses for blessings in exchange for candy?
Willow twigs
How many eyelids does a rabbit have?
Three.