Bunny Body Language

BUNNY DANCING AND HOPPING: A sign of happiness. This "dancing" includes leaping and or spinning in the air, racing around, etc. A bunny flop is very comical and indicates a contented - and tired - bunny.

CHINNING: Rabbits rub their chins (which contain scent glands) on items to get their scent on them. This indicates that the items belong to them and also defines their territory. The scent is undetectable to humans.

THUMPING OR STOMPING: Bunny is frightened, mad, or sensing danger (real or imagined).

TEETH GRINDING: Soft grinding indicates contentment and is usually heard when petting the rabbit. Loud grinding can indicate pain and is usually heard during an illness. Loud teeth grinding requires attention from a rabbit veterinarian.

CIRCLING YOUR FEET: Means “I love you".

PLAYING: Rabbits like to push or toss objects around. They may also race madly around the house, jump on and off the couch, and act like a child that had too much sugar. Rabbits love toys and will play for hours with a favorite toy.

GRUNTS: Usually angry - when bunny feels threatened. Sometimes followed by a nip or bit. Some females get territorial with their cage. Mothers with babies will sometimes get defensive. Feed mother before you handle the babies. This will occupy her time while you check over the kits.

SPRAYING: Unneutered males will mark female rabbits and their territory in this manner. Unspayed females can also spray.

TERRITORIAL DROPPINGS: Droppings that are not in a pile, but scattered, are signs that this territory belongs to the rabbit. This will sometimes occur upon entering a new environment or if another rabbit is brought into the house, and may be temporary or ongoing. Droppings in piles indicates that the rabbit needs more litter box training.

DON'T TOUCH MY STUFF: Some rabbits do not like when you rearrange their cage as you clean and may grunt, charge or even nip you when you try. They are creatures of habit and once they get things just right, they like them to remain that way.

SHRILL SCREAM: Hurt or dying. Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.

NIPPING/BITING: A nip is gentler than a bite. Bunnies will nip to get your attention, or to politely ask you to move out of their way. Bites are harder. Rabbits usually do not bite, but if one does, it must be stopped immediately. If a rabbit bites, it is usually not because it hates you, there are many reasons within a rabbits social structure that bring about a bite. A rabbit may also accidentally bite while tugging at your pant leg. Whatever the reason, if you get bit, you must immediately let out a shrill cry. Rabbits do this when they are hurt. Since they usually do not intend to hurt you, they will be surprised that you have cried out and will usually stop the behavior after a few times.

Baby Fingers: Please keep baby fingers out of the cages. They resemble little carrots and also have smells left behind of food. If the rabbit likes the scent, he/she may take a nip thinking it’s food.