𝓑𝓾𝓷𝓷𝔂 𝓑𝓮𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓸𝓻
The most important thing to know before trying to bond with your new bunny is bunny behavior! It can be a little tricky at first but with time you can come to understand your new friend a little bit better by reading and learning their language. You see, rabbits have a language all their own, and there are some tips to help you interpret your bunny’s hops, kicks and grunts.
Most common These are some of the most common behaviors you will see your bunny doing when you bring them home and as you get to know them! Zoomies: Running through the house at top speed, alone or chasing you or another rabbit just for the fun of it. Translation: “I’m playing and having a great time!” Binky: A jump straight up with a mid-air half turn and a twist, usually executed in mid-run. Translation: “I am joyful!” Periscoping: Rabbit stands up on hind legs and looks around. Translation: “I’m checking things out.” Throwing: A play behavior or a demonstration of anger. Translation: “This is great fun, and it makes noise too! I am really ticked off.” |
Thumping: Expression of anger or territory warning.
Translation: “I’m angry! There’s danger! Get away from my space!”
Nose nudge: Rabbit bonks you with his nose.
Translation: “Pay attention to me. Pet me. Get out of my way.”
Bunching: Pushing, pulling and biting bed linens, towels or pillows.
Translation: “I like to organize until everything is just right.”
Bunny loaf: Rabbit’s front and back legs are tucked underneath the body. Rabbit looks like she could fit into a loaf pan. Rabbits often sleep in this position.
Translation: “I’m chill and comfortable.”
Splooting: Rabbit is lying with belly next to the floor, rear legs stretched out behind and front legs stretched out in front. Rabbit may also lie on his/her side.
Translation: “I’m relaxed and comfortable. I may take a nap.”
Flop: Rabbit literally throws herself onto her side, which looks like she just keeled over.
Translation: “Life is wonderful, and I am ready to relax and take a nap.”
Burrowing: Tunneling behavior.
Translation: “My ancestors dug out their own homes before there were house rabbits.”
Chewing: A natural behavior.
Translation: “I must keep my teeth ground down. I must clear away these vines (electrical cords, etc.) that are encroaching on the entrance to my burrow.”
Chinning: Rubbing secretions from the scent glands under the chin to mark the rabbit’s territory. The scent is undetectable to humans.
Translation: “I’ve been here. This is mine.”
Invitation/demand to be groomed: Rabbit comes up to you, gives you a nudge and puts his head down to the floor in an extended position with ears at the side of the head, and awaits your attention.
Translation: “I am in the mood for love. Pet me now.”
Rabbit vocalizations
Vocalizations aren't very common but they are still very important to know. If your bunny is upset or in distress, they will vocalize it. Knowing what your bunny wants to say and acting fast can help you keep your bunny happy and healthy if anything is wrong.
Grunting/growling: Indicates anger or disapproval of a human’s or another rabbit’s behavior (invasion of their territory, for example) and may be followed by scratching or biting.
Translation: “Back off. Leave me alone. Put me down.”
Buzzing: Clicking or buzzing of the teeth that indicates pleasure and contentment.
Translation: “I am a happy rabbit. I am completely relaxed and comfortable, and I’m in love with you!”
Tooth grinding: Indicates severe pain, discomfort or distress.
Translation: “I’m in great pain and need help.”
Whimpering, squealing and squeaks: Associated with pain and distress.
Translation: “That hurt! I don’t feel well.”
Some squeaking is done in close, intimate situations and is an indication of closeness.
Screaming: Indicates mortal terror or severe pain.
Translation: “I think I am going to die and I’m terrified.”
Non-vocalizations
These are some less common behaviors that you should know as well!
Boxing: Rabbit stands on hind legs with his dukes up and throws punches.
Translation: “One step more and I’ll punch your lights out.”
Circling: Circling around their human’s feet or another rabbit can be part of a courtship dance or a means of getting attention. Buzzing (vocalization) can also accompany circling.
Translation: “I think I’m in love. I want you to notice me. I’m going to get you.”
Climbing: Exploring and play behavior.
Translation: “Indiana Jones has nothing on me.”
Digging: A natural behavior. It may also be a displacement behavior when the rabbit is angry but not going to attack.
Translation: “I must dig a burrow. I must clear a place to lie down. I must escape. I need some attention or I have to go to the bathroom (usually done on their human’s chest or lap).”
**Ear position: A rabbit’s sonar to determine what is going on around him.
Translation: Both ears forward: “Something has my complete attention.”
One ear forward, one ear back: “I am listening to you and to something else.”
Both ears back against head: “I am really scared right now. I am submissive. I am about to attack.” (Tail is also erect and the body is tensed.)
**Because Mini Plush Lops are lop earred, most do not have control over their ear placement and therefore cannot be used to indicate body language
Eyes: Third eyelid showing in the corner of the eye.
Translation: “I am uneasy. I am stressed. I am afraid.”
Lunging: A sign of disapproval.
Translation: “Get away! What are you doing?” (with attitude)
**Mounting: Mating or dominance behavior.
Translation: “I feel like making love. Let’s not forget that I am top rabbit.”
**This is most common in unfixed bunnies but can happen when introducing a fixed bunny to another pet or bunny as a way to assert dominance
Nipping: Feels like a little pinch and can mean several things (it is not the rabbit’s intention to bite).
Translation: “I want your attention now. I like you petting me, so I will groom you. Move out of the way now. This is a warning.”
Tail movements: When erect, a sign of interest or aggression. When wagging, it’s a form of defiance or back talk.
Translation: “Wow, that’s interesting. You have just plucked my last nerve and I’m going to do something about it. I don’t want to; you can’t make me.”
Translation: “I’m angry! There’s danger! Get away from my space!”
Nose nudge: Rabbit bonks you with his nose.
Translation: “Pay attention to me. Pet me. Get out of my way.”
Bunching: Pushing, pulling and biting bed linens, towels or pillows.
Translation: “I like to organize until everything is just right.”
Bunny loaf: Rabbit’s front and back legs are tucked underneath the body. Rabbit looks like she could fit into a loaf pan. Rabbits often sleep in this position.
Translation: “I’m chill and comfortable.”
Splooting: Rabbit is lying with belly next to the floor, rear legs stretched out behind and front legs stretched out in front. Rabbit may also lie on his/her side.
Translation: “I’m relaxed and comfortable. I may take a nap.”
Flop: Rabbit literally throws herself onto her side, which looks like she just keeled over.
Translation: “Life is wonderful, and I am ready to relax and take a nap.”
Burrowing: Tunneling behavior.
Translation: “My ancestors dug out their own homes before there were house rabbits.”
Chewing: A natural behavior.
Translation: “I must keep my teeth ground down. I must clear away these vines (electrical cords, etc.) that are encroaching on the entrance to my burrow.”
Chinning: Rubbing secretions from the scent glands under the chin to mark the rabbit’s territory. The scent is undetectable to humans.
Translation: “I’ve been here. This is mine.”
Invitation/demand to be groomed: Rabbit comes up to you, gives you a nudge and puts his head down to the floor in an extended position with ears at the side of the head, and awaits your attention.
Translation: “I am in the mood for love. Pet me now.”
Rabbit vocalizations
Vocalizations aren't very common but they are still very important to know. If your bunny is upset or in distress, they will vocalize it. Knowing what your bunny wants to say and acting fast can help you keep your bunny happy and healthy if anything is wrong.
Grunting/growling: Indicates anger or disapproval of a human’s or another rabbit’s behavior (invasion of their territory, for example) and may be followed by scratching or biting.
Translation: “Back off. Leave me alone. Put me down.”
Buzzing: Clicking or buzzing of the teeth that indicates pleasure and contentment.
Translation: “I am a happy rabbit. I am completely relaxed and comfortable, and I’m in love with you!”
Tooth grinding: Indicates severe pain, discomfort or distress.
Translation: “I’m in great pain and need help.”
Whimpering, squealing and squeaks: Associated with pain and distress.
Translation: “That hurt! I don’t feel well.”
Some squeaking is done in close, intimate situations and is an indication of closeness.
Screaming: Indicates mortal terror or severe pain.
Translation: “I think I am going to die and I’m terrified.”
Non-vocalizations
These are some less common behaviors that you should know as well!
Boxing: Rabbit stands on hind legs with his dukes up and throws punches.
Translation: “One step more and I’ll punch your lights out.”
Circling: Circling around their human’s feet or another rabbit can be part of a courtship dance or a means of getting attention. Buzzing (vocalization) can also accompany circling.
Translation: “I think I’m in love. I want you to notice me. I’m going to get you.”
Climbing: Exploring and play behavior.
Translation: “Indiana Jones has nothing on me.”
Digging: A natural behavior. It may also be a displacement behavior when the rabbit is angry but not going to attack.
Translation: “I must dig a burrow. I must clear a place to lie down. I must escape. I need some attention or I have to go to the bathroom (usually done on their human’s chest or lap).”
**Ear position: A rabbit’s sonar to determine what is going on around him.
Translation: Both ears forward: “Something has my complete attention.”
One ear forward, one ear back: “I am listening to you and to something else.”
Both ears back against head: “I am really scared right now. I am submissive. I am about to attack.” (Tail is also erect and the body is tensed.)
**Because Mini Plush Lops are lop earred, most do not have control over their ear placement and therefore cannot be used to indicate body language
Eyes: Third eyelid showing in the corner of the eye.
Translation: “I am uneasy. I am stressed. I am afraid.”
Lunging: A sign of disapproval.
Translation: “Get away! What are you doing?” (with attitude)
**Mounting: Mating or dominance behavior.
Translation: “I feel like making love. Let’s not forget that I am top rabbit.”
**This is most common in unfixed bunnies but can happen when introducing a fixed bunny to another pet or bunny as a way to assert dominance
Nipping: Feels like a little pinch and can mean several things (it is not the rabbit’s intention to bite).
Translation: “I want your attention now. I like you petting me, so I will groom you. Move out of the way now. This is a warning.”
Tail movements: When erect, a sign of interest or aggression. When wagging, it’s a form of defiance or back talk.
Translation: “Wow, that’s interesting. You have just plucked my last nerve and I’m going to do something about it. I don’t want to; you can’t make me.”
Source: House Rabbit Behavior