Rabbit Behaviour
Want to know what your rabbits behaviour means? Here are a few explanations to your bunnies behaviour.
Jumping/Running around
This is an expression of joy from a rabbit, it jumps into the air, often twisting and flicking its feet and head.
Thumping
Rabbits thump their hind feet to signal danger and thump both hind feet at the same time and is their way of communicating. Usually this means they have heard something odd. Sometimes when you surprise rabbits they will thump at you to show their displeasure at being caught unaware. Thumping can also be an expression of displeasure.
Grunting
Rabbits can grunt at you when displeased about something or on the attack. Sometimes females can get a bit moody when you are cleaning out their hutch and can grunt at the brush etc.
Why do rabbits eat their poops?
This is not bad bunny behaviour, in fact you should encourage .Because their diet of plants is hard to digest efficiently, and they have to make two passes at it to get everything out of the meal. They eat soft mushy poops called cecals. Rabbits are unable to absorb the nutrition via the intestinal wall, but can still get it by eating their cecals. If you find a lot of cecals in the litter box your bunny may not be well. Keep an eye on him/her.
Chin Rubbing
Rabbits have scent glands under their chin and will rub their scent glands on almost everything in order to claim ownership and mark territory. Even people can be marked. Humans cannot small this scent.
Avoiding Contact
Some rabbits are scared of people. If you frequently pick your rabbit up, and your rabbit hates getting picked up (most do) then by avoiding you, the rabbit avoids being picked up. Rabbits are curious animals. If you lie on the ground, chances are your rabbit will come and see what is going on. Rabbits will climb on people when sitting or lying on the floor. Some rabbits don't like being touched but the more they trust you they don't seem to mind. A good way for your rabbit to trust you is by talking and stroking him in his hutch and when they are out hold you hand out to them to sniff, lie down on teh floor and let them investigate you rather than you keep going over to them. Can take a week or two depending on how long you spend with them for them to trust you.
Head Tickle
Rabbits don't like getting touched on the tummy, nose, mouth or backside. However bunnies love getting stroked on the head, and some like their cheeks being rubbed. Try a head massage, your bunny will probably settle down and put his/her head down on the ground. You will know your bunny loves this if the bunny's eyes start closing.
Flat Rabbit
Rabbits flatten themselves if there is something scary and if they are close to the ground then maybe they wont be seen.
Tiptoeing
Rabbits will tiptoe around when they are not confident of their surroundings. If they see or smell something different they tiptoe up to it and take a sniff. They are ready to run if it is dangerous. The ears forward mean that there is something interesting in front.
Climbing
Rabbit's love to climb up on anything they can find. This includes boxes, stairs, settes,and anything else you may have that is reachable. This is to get a better view of the surroundings.
Purring rabbit?
Rabbits can make a purring noise by grinding their teeth. A quiet tooth purr means you have a happy rabbit(usually when its head is being tickled,) A louder crunchy type of teeth grinding can indicate that your rabbit is in pain. To determine what your rabbit is telling you, look at the rabbits eyes (are they wide open, or closed as if relaxed) and the rabbits body language (hunched and uncomfortable looking, or relaxed and calm). Small things like this let you know when a rabbit is not feeling well.
Mounting / humping
Single male rabbits will often try to mount soft toys, cushions and even people's legs. This is a sign that your rabbit is ready to be neutered. This behaviour usually ceases a month or so after neutering. Mounting is also used as a sign of dominance in both male and female rabbits. The dominant rabbit will mount the other rabbit to show who's boss. Once the dominant rabbit has been decided, this behaviour usually stops.
If you are unsure of a rabbits behaviour if its acting strange or not eating/drinking seek advice from your vet urgently.