The Story of Taiwan's Unique "Marble Rabbit"

"Marble Rabbit" may sound like a tiny rabbit the size of a marble, but in truth, it represents something far less endearing: a reflection of Taiwan's once-loose attitudes toward animal welfare and the troubling practice of offering live animals as game prizes.

How It All Began

The story goes back to around 2004, during the Lantern Festival. The author and their family visited a temporary night market near Guandu Temple to watch fireworks. On the way home, the author's mother, suddenly drawn by nostalgia, decided to try a marble-shooting game. To everyone's surprise, she won the grand prize — not a sausage or a toy, but a live mini rabbit of her choice. That's how a very special little rabbit came into the family's life.

When they brought the bunny home, it was tiny — only half the size of a palm, soft and fluffy beyond words. According to the vendor, this was a "mini rabbit" that would stay cute and small forever. They named her Tang Tang and welcomed her warmly.

The Truth Behind the "Mini Rabbit"

By the second month of caring for Tang Tang, something became clear: Tang Tang did nothing but eat, sleep, and grow — and grow — and grow! Within six months, she weighed over four kilograms, nearly the size of a small dog. Everything the game vendor said, except "she's a rabbit," was a lie.

It turned out that what people called a "Marble Rabbit" referred not to a specific breed but to rabbits like Tang Tang — young rabbits given away as game prizes at night markets. The term became symbolic of deception by vendors and indifference from the public toward using live animals as entertainment prizes. "Marble Rabbit" doesn't describe a rabbit's size, but rather a society's empathy that has shrunk to the size of a marble.

Learning to Care for a Rabbit

Back then, in the early 2000s, the knowledge about proper rabbit care in Taiwan was shockingly limited. To learn how to care for this "prehistoric giant rabbit," the owner had to rely on books, scarce internet forums, and advice from more experienced rabbit keepers. Over time, they learned the basics of caring for pet rabbits — from diet to hygiene and proper living conditions.

Unmasking the Truth

Eventually, they discovered that Tang Tang wasn't a rare breed at all, but an ordinary mixed-breed domestic rabbit descended from rabbits once raised for meat or fur in rural Taiwan. Many vendors falsely marketed baby rabbits as "mini breeds," pushing misconceptions like "rabbits shouldn't drink water" or "they only eat carrots." Sadly, many of these rabbits died from dehydration or poor nutrition before reaching adulthood. Those who survived often grew much larger than expected — leading many owners to abandon them.

Legal and Social Change

In 2007, Taiwan's Animal Protection Act was amended to include a "night market clause" that aimed to ban the use of live animals as prizes. However, loopholes remained, and the practice persisted. Despite this, Tang Tang's owner continued advocating for responsible ownership and ethical treatment of animals.

A Loving Home and a Larger Mission

Though Tang Tang grew into a big, hungry, but lovable rabbit, her owner treated her as family — throwing birthday parties, hosting rabbit meetups, and even creating a website to share care guides and experiences. Tang Tang also became a "rabbit teacher," visiting schools to teach children the importance of compassion and responsible pet ownership.

This effort gradually connected rabbit lovers across the country. With their collective strength, they began campaigning to end the cruel tradition of live animal prizes and to raise public awareness about proper rabbit care.

Founding the "Love Rabbit Association"

After years of effort, Tang Tang's owner and like-minded friends founded Taiwan's first rabbit-focused animal welfare organization — the Love Rabbit Association. Tang Tang became its first honorary president and an official "Rabbit Ambassador," visiting schools and even appearing on the international broadcast program "Taiwan's Endemic Species" run by Radio Taiwan International.

Through this exposure, the world learned about Taiwan's emerging progress in animal welfare — from the creation of the Animal Protection Division, establishment of the zero-euthanasia policy in shelters, to the implementation of exhibition animal regulations and stricter penalties for rabbit abuse cases.

Tang Tang's Legacy

After retiring from her ambassadorial duties, Tang Tang enjoyed a peaceful life at home — living like a little duchess. She even had a husband, Ha-Jiu, and a charming rabbit companion named Tabo. Occasionally, she attended special events or animal welfare ceremonies, and once even shook hands with the President.

A Gentle Farewell

As Tang Tang aged and her health declined, her owner held a "Rabbit Farewell Ceremony," giving friends — human and animal alike — a chance to say goodbye. Tang Tang passed away peacefully during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2015 and was laid to rest in a public pet memorial garden.

Her owner compiled her life's photos into a memorial album, now available for public viewing in the Love Rabbit House library — a touching tribute to a little rabbit whose life helped change Taiwan's animal welfare landscape.

From a "Marble Rabbit" to a Symbol of Compassion

Tang Tang's story reminds us that change often begins with empathy — even toward the smallest lives. What began as a carnival prize turned into a nationwide movement for respect, responsibility, and love for all animals.

The Power of Words in Promoting Animal Welfare

Did you enjoy reading this article? Words carry great power—they spread positive energy by sharing accurate and compassionate ideas about animal welfare. Through reading and reflection, we can foster deeper understanding and inspire collective change.

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