IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING HAVING A BUNNY FOR A PET OR ALREADY HAVE ONE, IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THESE THINGS. BUNNIES HAVE A LANGUAGE OF THEIR OWN, JUST LIKE WE DO, AND OTHER CREATURES.
THIS POST WILL HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE LITTLE MOVEMENTS THEY MAKE - HOW TO INTERPRET THEM AND ALSO DESCRIBES THEIR MEMORIES. BUNNIES HAVE GOOD MEMORIES, SO WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL. READING THESE TWO ARTICLES FROM Petsial.Com WILL HELP YOU RELATE AND BOND WITH YOUR BUNNY/BUNNIES. THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT TO PUPPIES AND KITTENS - BUNNY BONDING IS SO IMPORTANT, THEY CAN LEARN TO TRUST YOU BETTER WHEN YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEEDS.
Ways to Speak Rabbit and Communicate with Your Bunny
For the sake of this post, keep in mind that we are focused on reading your rabbits language and signs that they are showing you or trying to communicate.
The Importance of Bunny Communication
Recognizing these signals and communications from your rabbit is 100% necessary and an obligation of yours and yours only.
Bunnies are extremely social and have basic needs as we do.
Ignoring specific signals or behaviors may leave your bunny feeling neglected or not loved.
It’s imperative that throughout owning your rabbit that you find time to start learning these signs and signals and learn how to adapt and respond to them accordingly.
It’s only ethical as a bunny owner and what you need to do to ensure a loving, lasting relationship with your bunny for years to come.
Bunny Communications, Signals and Behaviors.
The Still Resting Position
This position can get a lot of rabbit owners confused. Sometimes a rabbit will be laying on its belly and appear to be utterly relaxed but guess what? They may also be sleeping with theirs open!
That’s right, this position usually indicates that your bunny is either perfectly comfortable or sleeping with their eye open! Leave them be and let them enjoy the peace and quiet.
Cuddling with Relaxation
The cuddling bunny means that they are in pure joy that you are around and give them some loving to show them your appreciation as well.
They may burrow up against your legs or even in your lap. Give them a treat or show them some of the love they are asking for.
Nudging- Means They Want Attention
Nudging means that it’s time to show me love again. Maybe they gave you the booty just a little bit ago to tend to other business, but now they are back. If your bunny gives you a nudge, take the time to interact with them and show them some love. You don’t want to be the person that ignores these kinds of signals. Your bunny may not be so pleased with you if you do.
Nose Twitching, What’s Going on Around Here?
Nose twitching can mean several things, but usually, it means either they have some sparked interest, curiosity or possibly even some bunny anxiety. If this is the case, make sure you tend to them. If it’s only some pure curiosity, they will stop twitching their nose soon. Not a bunny communication to worry too much about.
Begging on Back Legs to Please the Owner
This is just like a dog surfing the counter, but your bunny will typically do this by placing it’s front twofeet on your legs. Your bunny either wants your attention or a treat. When your bunny is in the begging phase, it seems like a good idea to offer some love and a treat to make sure you fulfill their needs adequately.
The Loaf Position- The Relaxed Loaf of Bread
The loaf position is when your rabbit is sprawled out on the floor and looks like a loaf of bread. This isa sign of ultimate relaxation and comfort. When your bunny is in this phase, don’t worry. It means that they want to be left in peace and they are delighted and ready to take a nice nap.
The Flop- Relaxation and Happiness
The flop is when your bunny almost resembles the loaf position that we just discussed except this time the back legs will be sprawled out as well.
This is one of the most universal signs that your bunny is extremely happy or excited. Whatever you are doing when this occurs, keep doing it because it’s bringing some pure joy to your bunny.
Purring- Loving the Attention
Tooth purring is another universal sign that your bunny is exceptionally pleased with you. Maybe it’s an ear scratching, belly rub or the treats you are providing but when you hear the teeth purring, this means you are doing something right and your bunny is giving you a big thumbs up.
Whatever you are doing when this happens, take note of it and realize it’s something your bunny loves and include it into your routine for future interactions with your bunny.
Zoomies- Happy or Excitement
Zoomies are quick runs and jump around the room. A lot of rabbit owners state that their rabbits perform zoomies when they arrive home or it’s clearly time to play or interact with each other.
A zoomie is another sign that your bunny loves you and wants to interact. Congratulations if you have reached this stage to earn a zoomie.
Likely at this point, you have built a bond that will last for years to come.
Binky- Jump with A Leg Kick
This is equal to your dog wagging their tail. The binky is the classic jump with the big finish known as the double leg kick. It’s incredible to witness, and when you do witness, it means your bunny is extremely excited and extremely happy.
Interact and spend some time cuddling, petting and interacting with your bunny when they are in this mood. Clearly, you are doing something correct to warrant this behavior so keep it up!
The Lick and Groom
The lick and groom are just like a human taking a shower and the reason your bunny rarely has an odor. A bunny performing the lick and groom is simply cleaning themselves up and giving themselves a nice bath. Don’t interrupt the process or you may get some grooming of your own that you weren’t expecting.
Chinning- That’s Mine, and I’m Claiming Position
Chinning means that this is mine and you’re not taking it from your bunny. A bunny will chin you or other objects when they are claiming possession. It’s another territorial behavior where they want to claim ownership.
Don’t be alarmed if your bunnies chin you. This is a good thing and a sign of love from your pet.
Nipping- Means, Get Out of My Way
Nipping it means it’s time to get out of your bunnies’ way. They may like it if you move out of their way or position yourself somewhere else. They won’t bite you hard so don’t worry, but a slight nip is almost like the giving you the booty body language.
If they give you this nip, take a break, walk away and come back to interact. You were clearly sitting in your bunny’s favorite spot.
Peris coping
Persis coping resembles the begging motion, except this time they aren’t begging for anything. Now they are merely on their back legs looking around like some form of a sniper.
They are curious or on high alert checking their surroundings. This isn’t a bad thing and doesn’t mean you are about to have an intruder in your home.
Sometimes rabbits get naturally alerted and want to scope things out. Nothing to worry about with this rabbit communication.
Oinking Out of Fear or Excitement
Oinking is the most confusing bunny action on this list. It’s confusing because it can either mean pure joy or fear. Using some common sense in these situations is essential. If you are cuddling and interacting, they are clearly oinking out of love and joy, but if it’s a different situation, they may be scared. Either continue what you are doing or change the scenery for your bunny based on the oink and everything will be perfectly fine.
Digging and Burrowing
Digging and burrowing is simply a natural rabbit action among many other animals. They may be curious of something or be following a scent or even pregnant mothers will burrow some to make a nest with straw before having the baby bunnies.
If it’s not destroying the carpet or indoor flooring, it’s nothing to be concerned with and will probably end quickly.
Do Rabbits Have A Good Memory?
Yes, rabbits do have good memories. They have a very good memory of location as well as emotions. A rabbit will often base their emotions off of an experience they remember happening.
I will be discussing the memory of a rabbit, as well as experiences that may leave a negative or positive impression on your rabbit’s memory. Lastly, I will be identifying some other interesting characteristics that rabbits possess.
Do Rabbits Have a Good Memory? Yes, Rabbits Are Known for Having a Good Memory. In Fact, the Entire Lagomorph Family is Considered to Have Very Good Memory. Rabbits Are Very Good
at Remembering Locations, in Terms of Hiding Places and Places that May be Unsafe. Also, Rabbits Form an Opinion About People Based Off of Experiences They Remember.
Rabbits have a very good memory when it comes to location, which is also known as “orientation memory.” If a rabbit discovers a spot either in their cage, your home, or outside where they feel safe, they will continuously return to that spot.
Your rabbit will remember that this spot creates a feeling of comfort, and they will regularly seek it out.
This comes in handy since rabbits are prey animals. If rabbits are on high alert and unsure if danger will be approaching, it is very helpful to remember a location that is safe and comforting.
Rabbits are also very good at remembering events that evoke an emotional response in them. For example, if you were to step on your rabbit accidentally, they would most likely remember this encounter for a while and be cautious around you.
Being stepped on mimics being attacked by a predator in a rabbit’s mind, so if their owner were to step on them, even accidentally, a sense of fear would wash over them which they would not soon forget.
An accident such as this is enough to make a rabbit who was once friendly become very defensive and aggressive. This rabbit may feel the need to be in a defensive mode until the memory of the accident is not so fresh.
What Kinds of Experiences Will Leave a Lasting Memory with Your Rabbit?
There are Many Experiences that Will Leave a Lasting Impression with Your Rabbit, and They Can be Either Positive or Negative. It is Important to Keep an Eye on the Types of Experiences You Are Sharing with Your Pet, as Your Pet Will Remember These Experiences Long After.
How You Interact with Your Pet Is the Opinion they Will Have of You.
When you are interacting with your rabbit, you want to do everything in your power not to scare, overwhelm, or push them too far emotionally. Rabbits are very delicate creatures who become nervous easily, so this characteristic should be treated with respect.
If you do something that scares your pet greatly, they will have a difficult time trusting you for a while. The memory of the fear you created for them will not be forgotten easily, so acting carefully around rabbits is essential.
As we established with the example of stepping on a rabbit, something that is just an accident can be traumatizing for the rabbit. This is why it is important to be very careful when playing with your pet, walking near them, or handling them as not to injure them. An accidental injury will not be forgiven by your pet easily.
When petting them, or giving them attention in some way, it is also vital to learn the correct way to approach them. Never come at your pet abruptly, or from behind. Both of these actions remind a rabbit of a predator, and both will terrify them.
How To Handle Your Bunny
When handling a rabbit, you should move with slow movements, and always allow the rabbit to see what you are doing. Avoid their blind spots, which are right in front of their nose, behind them, and under their chin.
It is also important to listen and watch for signs that your rabbit is ready to be left alone. If the rabbit is growling, grunting, or lunging, then it is highly recommended to give them a break. This is a sign that they are overwhelmed, or angry, and you will continue to push them too far if you choose to keep interacting with them.
Positive interactions include sitting with your rabbit as they play, and following cues which show you what your pet wants from you. If your rabbit is nudging you, flopping down in front of you, or licking you, then they are likely looking for some affection.
These are all signs that your pet is satisfied with your presence.
If your rabbit is letting you pet them while lightly grinding teeth, then this is a sign that they are very content and enjoying the experience greatly.
Reading the cues and signs your rabbit gives you, as well as respecting their personality will lead to positive memories towards you, rather than negative or fearful ones.
Rabbits Have Good Memories, but What Other Interesting Characteristics Do They Have? Rabbits Are a Very Interesting Animal, with many Quirky, Unique Traits. How They Act Will Depend on
Their Owner, As Well As How They Are Feeling in Their Home. However, there are Many Characteristics a Rabbit Can Demonstrate.
Some of these unique characteristics are…
Performing an excited, high jump known as a “binky”An increase in temperature when feeling happy or content Face-licking as a sign of being grateful Feeling relaxed or happy by laying with legs spread out to the sides or behind the body A rabbit’s ears may move in order to hear sound better Rabbits are able to sweat through their paws
Rabbits are not capable of throwing up; however, they do excrete two different types of droppings.
Rabbits chew 120 times per minute, and have over 135,000 taste buds
A rabbit will use their hind legs, which are very strong, to kick or defend themselves if they feel threatened.
Rabbits require four hours of exercise per day and may suffer from osteoporosis if they do not achieve this.
Rabbits do not typically enjoy being picked up
Domestic rabbits cannot breed with American wild rabbits; however, they can breed with European wild rabbits.
Rabbits Do Have a Very Good Memory.
A Rabbit Will Most Likely Remember the Experiences You
Have with Them, Both Positive and Negative. This is Why it is So Important to Be Careful with How You Interact with Your Pet Rabbit.
On top of having a good memory when it comes to emotional situations, a rabbit will remember locations they either want to go to or want to avoid. This is a characteristic that is very beneficial for their survival.
When you are interacting with your pet, you must respect the fact that they are very timid, and fearful base their opinion of you off of these experiences.
Overall, a rabbit’s memory is a very interesting and useful characteristic for them.
A million thanks, I am a new bunny owner and want to care for her really well. I understand they are very timid for a while and bonding is important. This post is very helpful.