Wolpertinger

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A preparated Wolpertinger

The Wolpertinger

The Wolpertinger (Crisensus bavaricus) (also called "Wolperdinger", "Poontinger" or "Woiperdinger") is a fictional animal said to inhabit the alpine forests of Bavaria in Germany. It has a body comprised from various animal parts — generally wings, antlers, and fangs, all attached to the body of a small mammal. The most widespread description is that of a horned rabbit or a horned squirrel. It is similar to the Rasselbock of the Thuringian Forest, or the Elwedritsche of the Palatinate region, which is described as a chicken-like creature with antlers; additionally the American invention of the jackalope, as well as the Swedish Skvader are similar creatures to the Wolpertinger.

Stuffed Wolpertingers, composed of parts of actual stuffed animals, are often displayed in inns or sold to tourists as souvenirs in the animals' "native regions".

The Wolpertinger is not a typical cryptid, as local people likely never believed in its existence. Rather, it is some kind of traditional prank belief, as is evident from the many stuffed Wolpertingers displayed in village inns along with real hunting trophies, which have been fabricated deliberately in order to make fun of gullible foreigners who may want to go hunting for this remarkable animal.

Like the jackalope, the Wolpertinger is thought to have been inspired by sightings of wild rabbits infected with the Shope papilloma virus, which causes the growth of antler-like tumors in various places on the rabbit's head and body.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Habitat

The Hunting and Fishing Museum in Munich has a permanent exhibition of wolpertingers. Occasionally, the museum has a special wolpertinger exhibition, mostly around Mardi Gras or April Fools' Day.

[edit] In popular culture

Wolpertingers play an important role in Walter Moers' Zamonia novels, although Moers' version of a Wolpertinger differs from the traditional description, as, Zamonian "Wolpertings" are part deer, and part dog.^{[citation needed]}

The wolpertinger is a gameplay aspect in two MMORPGs. In World of Warcraft, it is possible to receive a wolpertinger through a quest as an in-game pet. However, it is only available to collect during Brewfest, an annual in-game event loosely based on, and inspired by, the real world event, the Bavarian Oktoberfest, during which one must become extremely inebriated in order to "see", and thus, "catch" one. The quest to get the wolpertinger was eliminated in the most recent patch. In order to get one, now, you can simply buy one from the Brewfest prize vendor for 50 silver during the Brewfest Holiday, once per year. It is likely the quests will be added back for the Brewfest of 2009. ^[1] In Runescape wolpertingers are familiars depicted as part-rabbit and part-wolf and can be summoned as part of the summoning skill.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ http://blue.mmo-champion.com/1/10043229535-elekks-and-wolpertingers.html

Schweiggert, Alfons (1988). Und es gibt sie doch! Die Wahrheit über die Wolpertinger. Pfaffenhofen/Ilm. ISBN 3-778-73325-7.
Schallweg, Paul. Der Wolpertinger. ISBN ISBN 3-475-52795-2.
Huber, Reginald. Vom Adler bis zum Wolpertinger - Das bairische Bestiarium. Bayerland VA. ISBN 3-892-51188-8.
Heim, Michael (1971). Mit dem Wolpertinger leben. ISBN 3-874-90601-9.
Kirein, Peter (1968). Der Wolpertinger lebt. Lipp. ISBN 3-874-90501-2.