Rabbits (aka dual vibrators) are a popular type of sex toy for vulva-havers that were designed to stimulate the inside of the vagina and the clitoris at the same time. They typically include an internal shaft for vaginal penetration and, yup, you guessed it: a rabbit on the external piece that can cradle the clitoris between its ears and stimulates it from both sides when it vibrates.

From humble beginnings to best-selling bunnies, let’s take a look at the rabbit’s road to fame throughout history. Believe it or not, this legendary sex toy has only been around since the early ‘80s.

1983: Animals only

The Japan-based sex toy company Vibratex started creating sex toys that were shaped like and looked like animals as a loophole to Japan’s strict obscenity laws. At the time, it was illegal to manufacture sex toys, especially ones that were phallic-looking. They also created a Kangaroo, a Beaver, and a Turtle, but it was the Rabbit (launched a little later in 1984) that stuck around for the long haul!
 

 

1984 : The rise of the Rabbit

Vibratex introduces the first rabbit vibrator known as the Rabbit Pearl. In addition to vibrating in both the shaft & the rabbit stimulator, it featured beads inside of the shaft that rotated for added sensations and an attached remote control that allowed you to increase or decrease the intensity of the vibration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early 1990’s: Rabbit hits retail

Popular Seattle-based sex toy shop Babeland opened around this time and played a major role in the distribution of the Rabbit Pearl, stocking and selling it right from the start.

 

1997: Rabbit Pearl 2.0

(Rabbit Habit image from Vibratex)

Babeland opened their second location in New York and began offering Vibratex’s upgraded version of the Rabbit Pearl: the Rabbit Habit! This toy still featured its infamous bunny and rotating beads but got rid of the wired remote pack and instead had its battery pack and controls in the base of the toy.

 

 

 

1998: The Rabbit is on TV

Representatives from the TV network HBO visit a sex toy shop in New York to look at vibrators for an episode of Sex and the City. They reached out to and connected with Vibratex upon finding out that the Rabbit Pearl was the store’s best-selling vibrator.

The Rabbit Habit vibrator then appears in the episode “The Turtle and the Hare” (btw that’s S1E9 just in case you wanted to watch) where spoiler alert - the character Charlotte becomes pretty damn obsessed with the thing — to the point where she doesn’t even want to leave her house.

via GIPHY

 

2006: Some-bunny is Oprah-approved!

The Rabbit Habit got the official Oprah stamp of approval when it was highlighted in O Magazine as the “Rolls Royce of sex toys.”

Also in 2006, the book “The user's guide to the Rabbit” was released which was basically a guide to getting the most out of your rabbit vibrator including all sorts of different tips and tricks to using one.

 

The Modern Day Dual Vibe:

As time went on and as more research went into manufacturing sex toys, some things were simply meant to be changed: most notably the materials & the motors. Whereas older rabbits were made of materials that are now known to be unsafe, nowadays, most are made of non-porous, body-safe silicone. The same can be said for batteries (although some do still take them if you’re into that) which have been widely replaced by rechargeable technology — a bonus being that it’s better for the environment!

While the rabbit name still lives on, the dual vibrator has evolved to include many other unique designs and shapes. Some stimulators are still animal-based (like butterflies and dolphins) but there is a wide variety of other pieces that flicker, suck, rotate, or are simply a solid piece (like the Clutch pictured above) that provides constant vibration to the clitoris. The Clutch’s stimulator is unique because it is adjustable, meaning that it moves with your body and can adapt to your anatomy - since every body is different.

 

 

That’s not the only difference between the rabbits of then and now though: the internal shafts have evolved as well to feature ones that look like a realistic penis (take that obscenity laws!), some that have G-spot rocking motions, and others that thrust. That’s right, thrusting dual vibes like the Clutch take the vibrating pleasure even deeper inside of the body.

Eva Longoria once told Self magazine in a 2005 interview, “I give rabbit vibrators to all my girlfriends. They scream when they unwrap it. The best gift I can give them is an orgasm.”…and we couldn’t agree with her more babes!

 

 

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Emily Zawadzki (she/her) is a femme lesbian with a passion for inclusive, pleasure-based sex education and sex toys! She works as an educator & content creator for Canadian sex toy company Stag Shop by day and freelance writes about sex by night. Learn more by following her on Instagram or checking out her website.