- "I give you my word, sir, there's some animal down there that is not a rabbit. We both heard it."
- — Thistle to Woundwort in the book
Thistle is a rabbit of Efrafa that appeared in the book and TV series.
Books[]
Watership Down[]
Thistle is mentioned as being a young rabbit from the Neck Mark who forms part of General Woundwort’s army in the Battle of Watership Down. On their way to the Down, he is told by General Woundwort to go watch for threats. Later on, he helps Thunder dig into Watership Down.
During the attack of the Nuthanger Farm dog on the Down, Thistle is noted to be one of the few Efrafans (alongside Groundsel, Coltsfoot, and two others) who had enough presence of mind to dart into an open run leading into the Honeycomb, saving themselves. At the Honeycomb, he surrenders to Fiver alongside the others. His fate afterwards is unknown but he remains alive.
Tales from Watership Down[]
It is mentioned Thistle, freed from Efrafan discipline, soon developed a most attractive warmth and gaiety.
TV series[]
Thistle is a Wide Patrol rabbit with his fellow rabbits, Gorse, Vervain and Campion. Campion told Gorse and Thistle to go through the bushes while he went with Vervain but Bigwig ran in to them; however, before they were able to fight him they were attacked by a fox.
Thistle and Gorse made cameos in the other episodes, though in the eighth episode they do not speak. In "Lost" Vervain told Gorse to move slowly and in "The Roundabout" Thistle wondered if he saw someone. In "The Homecoming" Gorse and Thistle got hit by a waterfall while pursuing Hazel and Fiver.