Mythology is usually reserved for dusty old books or campfire stories told by people who’ve had a bit too much coffee. But then you walk into a mall. There, amidst the rows of standard teddy bears and neon-pink unicorns, sits something that shouldn't exist. It’s a rabbit with antlers. Most people call it a jackalope, and for a specific corner of the internet, the build a bear jackalope became an obsession that nobody really saw coming.
It's weird.
If you aren't familiar with the lore, the jackalope is a staple of North American folklore, specifically in the American West. It’s a "critter" that’s supposedly part jackrabbit and part antelope. While Douglas, Wyoming, claims to be the home of the legend, Build-A-Bear Workshop decided to bring that legend to the masses back in 2023 as part of their "Bearly Scary" or "Online Exclusive" collections, depending on which wave you caught.
The Design That Split the Fandom
When you first look at the build a bear jackalope, you notice the proportions. They’re a bit funky. Build-A-Bear went with a seated pose for this particular plush, which is a departure from their standard "standing" bears that can wear pants and shirts easily. This one has those massive, powerful back legs characteristic of a hare, but it’s the antlers that do the heavy lifting. They’re soft, obviously—safety first—but they have this surprisingly decent structure that keeps them upright even after a few months of being tossed around on a bed.
The fur isn't just basic brown. It has this mottled, textured look that tries to mimic a real wild rabbit. It’s soft to the touch, but it has a bit of "shag" to it.
I’ve seen collectors argue for hours on Reddit and Discord about the eyes. They went with the standard black safety eyes, but some fans were hoping for a more "cryptid" look—maybe some amber or deep red hues to really lean into the urban legend vibe. Honestly, though? The simple eyes make it look less like a monster and more like a buddy. It’s accessible.
One of the quirks of this specific model is the difficulty of dressing it. Because of the seated position and those aforementioned antlers, you can’t just slap a standard hoodie on it. You’ve gotta get creative. Cape-style accessories or specially designed "Promise Pets" clothing tend to fit better. If you’re the type of person who needs your plushies to wear a full three-piece suit, the jackalope might frustrate you. But if you're okay with a "naked" cryptid or maybe just a stylish bandana, it’s perfect.
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Why the Build a Bear Jackalope Blew Up on TikTok
Viral trends are fickle. One day it’s sourdough bread, the next it’s a horned rabbit plush. The build a bear jackalope hit a very specific sweet spot: the "Cottagecore" and "Cryptidcore" aesthetics.
Younger collectors, specifically Gen Z and Millennials, have moved away from wanting just a "cute bear." They want something with a story. They want something a little bit "off." The jackalope fits into that niche of being "ugly-cute." It’s a conversation starter. You see it on a shelf and you have to ask about it.
Social media played a massive role in its scarcity too. For a while, these things were flickering in and out of stock faster than you could hit "add to cart." Scalpers on eBay and Mercari were listing them for double the retail price. It was chaos. People were sharing "restock alerts" like they were hunting for a PlayStation 5. It’s just a stuffed animal, right? Tell that to the person who’s been refreshing the website at 3:00 AM.
The appeal also stems from the fact that jackalopes are rarely represented in mainstream toy lines. You can find plenty of wolves, cats, and dogs. But a jackalope? That’s niche. Build-A-Bear leaned into that "limited" feeling, making it an Online Exclusive for much of its run, which naturally spiked the FOMO (fear of missing out) among the community.
The Folklore Connection
Build-A-Bear didn't invent the jackalope, of course. They just commercialized it brilliantly. The legend dates back to the 1930s when Douglas Herrick and his brother, two taxidermists in Wyoming, decided to graft deer antlers onto a rabbit carcass. They sold it to a local hotel, and a legend was born.
By making a build a bear jackalope, the company tapped into a century of American tall tales. It’s a piece of Americana you can hug.
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There is actually a biological basis for the myth, though it’s a bit grim. Rabbits can contract the Shope papilloma virus, which causes horn-like tumors to grow on their heads. It’s likely that early sightings of "horned rabbits" were just sightings of very sick animals. Build-A-Bear, thankfully, went with the "magical forest creature" version rather than the "pathological reality" version.
Collectibility and Long-Term Value
If you’re looking at this from an investment standpoint—which is a weird sentence to write about plushies—the build a bear jackalope has held its value remarkably well. Unlike the mass-produced holiday bears that end up in thrift stores for $2, the jackalope retains a "cult" status.
There are a few things that determine the value of your jackalope:
- The Hang Tags: If you still have the original cardboard ear tags, collectors will pay a premium.
- The Scent: Did you put a "scentiment" disk inside? Surprisingly, some buyers hate this because they find the "bubblegum" or "strawberry" smell distracting from the "wildlife" vibe. Others love it.
- The Condition of the Antlers: Since they are made of a stiffer fabric, they can sometimes get creased if stored poorly. A "mint" jackalope has perfectly straight, proud antlers.
The secondary market for these is fascinating. You see customizers taking the base jackalope and dyeing the fur or adding custom "galaxy" eyes. It’s become a canvas for artists.
Tips for New Owners and Hunters
If you’re lucky enough to find one, or if you’re currently hunting for a build a bear jackalope on the resale market, there are some practical things to know.
First, cleaning. Because of the textured fur, dust tends to settle in deep. Don’t just throw it in the washing machine on a heavy cycle. You’ll ruin the structural integrity of the antlers. Use a damp cloth or, if you must, a delicate cycle inside a pillowcase. Air dry only. Heat is the enemy of synthetic plush fur; it can "singe" the fibers, making them feel crunchy. Nobody wants a crunchy jackalope.
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Second, stuffing. If you bought yours secondhand and it’s a bit floppy, remember that you can take any authentic Build-A-Bear to a physical store and they will usually restuff it for you for free. It’s part of their "lifetime guarantee" vibe. Adding a bit of extra "oomph" to the base of the jackalope helps it sit upright without tipping over, which is a common complaint with this specific mold.
Third, look for the "Tush Tag." If you’re worried about fakes—though fakes of this specific model are rare—check the white tag near the tail. It should have the Build-A-Bear logo and a specific production date code.
What the Jackalope Represents
In the broader context of the toy industry, the success of the jackalope signals a shift. We’re moving away from generic characters. We want things that feel specific, regional, and a little bit strange. The build a bear jackalope isn't just a toy; it’s a symbol of how internet subcultures (like the cryptid enthusiasts) can influence multi-million dollar corporations.
It also highlights the importance of "tactile storytelling." When you hold it, you aren't just holding polyester fiberfill. You’re holding a piece of a story that started in a taxidermy shop in Wyoming and ended up in a global retail chain.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you're ready to add this horned hopper to your collection, here is how you should handle it:
- Check the Official Site First: Build-A-Bear is notorious for "stealth restocks." Don't pay $80 to a reseller until you’ve checked the official "Online Exclusives" section.
- Join the "Build-A-Bear Elite" Groups: There are Facebook and Discord groups where people track SKU numbers. This is the fastest way to know if a vault release is coming.
- Inspect the Antler "Veins": On the real build a bear jackalope, the antlers have subtle stitching to give them texture. If the antlers look like flat, smooth cones, you might be looking at a knock-off.
- Consider the "Promise Pets" Clothing: Since the jackalope has a similar body shape to the Promise Pets line (dogs/cats), those outfits are your best bet for a good fit.
- Don't Overpay for "Rare" Tags: Many sellers claim their jackalope is "one of a kind" or "rare vintage." It’s from the 2020s. It’s not vintage. Pay for the quality of the plush, not the hype in the description.
The jackalope remains one of the most interesting deviations from the standard Build-A-Bear formula. It’s weird, it’s slightly awkward to dress, and it’s based on a myth that shouldn't make sense. But that’s exactly why it works. It’s a reminder that even in a world of mass production, there’s still room for a little bit of weirdness.