Language

Bunny Language

Since gentle temperaments are hereditary, they have always been important to me, so I pay very close attention to the language of my bunnies. This not only helps me to understand their needs, but also helps me with selecting future breeding stock. The following is a list of bunny body language and my interpretation of what (I think!) they are telling me.

Watch them quietly.. and they will gradually teach you what they can't tell you!

ENTER HOME INTRO TEMPERAMENTS BREEDING LITTERS CAGES LINKS
HOLLANDS BLUE EYED WHITE SPORTS POINTED WHITE RED EYED WHITE CHOCOLATE OTTER MARTEN

Interesting article: The Mystery of Language



	THUMPING MY HIND FEET "I do this when I become alarmed and upset by loud or strange noises, just like my wild cousins, the cottontails, do to warn the others of danger. Another reason I might do this is because I'm really irritable and I would appreciate it if you just go away and leave me alone." PACING BACK AND FORTH IN MY CAGE "I'm a buck, and this behavior is prominent in us boys, but does have also displayed this behavior. I also may do this when I want you to put a doe in my cage, or when I want to come out and run around." LYING LOW TO THE GROUND AND REMAINING MOTIONLESS "Being the little guy that I am, I was startled by a loud noise which made me afraid. Since all us bunnies are timid by nature, my instincts told me to "hit the floor". It's my way of attempting to make myself invisible, in the hope that if no one can see me, then no one can harm me." ROLLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON MY BACK "I'm HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY...and ya know... life just doesn't get any better then this!" SITTING WITH MY FRONT PAWS IN MY FOOD OR WATER DISH "Can you please stop whatever you're doing and listen to my tummy growling? My food bowl and water dish are empty and I need refills. Right away is fine with me." STANDING UP ON MY HIND LEGS "Let's face it...there's no much happening down here on ground level. If I stand up, I can get a better view of what's going on over there. By standing on my hind legs, it also makes me feel almost 8 inches taller!" GENTLY NUDGING MY HEAD UNDER YOUR HAND "I'm having a bad "hare" day and need some affection from you, and won't take no as an answer." LICKING YOUR HAND OR FACE "I really like how you take care of me and want to say thank you. Sometimes I may even lick you because you have salt or the smell of bunny food on your skin." PUSHING OR NUDGING YOUR HAND AWAY "Thank you for the attention, but I'm satisfed, so you can go now." MOUNTING ANOTHER BUNNY OF THE SAME GENDER "I really am ready to breed NOW, and jumping on my sibling was the only way I could tell you." LYING DOWN WITH MY HIND LEGS STRETCHED OUT TO ONE SIDE "You'll have to excuse me, but it's a little warm out today, and I need to conserve energy. I'll probably take a short nap, so come back a little later." LUNGING TOWARDS YOU WITH MY EARS FOLDED BACK "Sometimes when I approach you like this, it just means I'm curious. If I were a doe with babies, I would instinctively protect them if you reach in my cage. Lastly, I should be approached with caution when I assume this position, because I may bite." RUBBING MY CHIN ON YOU OR ANYTHING IN MY CAGE "I have a scent gland under my tongue which secretes a substance through pores underneath my chin. The reason I do this is to claim ownership, so if I rub against you, it means you're mine!" DIGGING OR SCRATCHING AT MY CAGE FLOOR "Some instincts are stronger then others, and the reason I do this is because I want to dig a burrow. If I were a doe, I would be pregnant and trying to dig a nest to have my babies." RUNNING, JUMPING AND TWISTING MYSELF AS I LEAP THROUGH THE AIR "I am experiencing sheer ecstasy!! Sometimes I will even jump straight upward from a standing position, shake my head, dash away, stop and turn on a dime! Baby bunnies display this delightful behavior the most." GROWLING, SQUEAKING OR CHATTERING "A sound that most often comes from a pregnant doe, but can also be uttered by any bunny who is irritated or upset." EATING FUR FROM THEIR OWN BODY OR A ROOMMATE "I am really nervous and may even do this because I want to be bred. The other reason I do this is because I need some hay to munch on." THROWING MY DISHES OR OTHER ITEMS AROUND MY CAGE "It's really B-O-R-I-N-G.....I would like some attention and you aren't giving me any." WET NOSE, MOUTH AND RAPID BREATHING "Please hurry and cool my body temperature down! My rapid breathing and wet face mean that I am in danger of having a stroke from the heat, and possibly dying." UTTERING A HIGH PITCH SIREN SOUND SCREAM "I make this sound when I am extremely frightened or injured, and if you don't hold me and talk softly to me to calm me down, I could have a heart attack and die."

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