So you love rabbits and have one, or maybe two in the house. Among pets, rabbits are often the common choices for their extra cute appeal! Much like dogs, cats, fishes, birds and the like, your bunnies require adequate care and understanding from your end. Given how silent bunnies can be, it’s primarily their behavior and communication methods that you need to figure out.
What is amazing to learn is that rodents are way ahead than others when it comes to learning languages and even understand the way humans speak. Right from their ancestors’ time, rabbits display some set behaviors. In addition, their socialization patterns when in a group, hunting styles and dynamics of social behavior are potent ways to decipher how your pet bunny is likely to respond and react to situations.

Little Known Facts About Pet Rabbit Behaviors and Language

Some common bunny features

Prey Hunting

Rabbits have an acute sense of hearing. Their ‘predator detection tool’ rests on their immense power of hearing something located no less than a mile away. With the eyes located on both sides of their heads, it’s easy to simply turn 360 degrees around them. Rabbit behavior is very organized. So you will find them stomping suddenly on hearing a sound that you would take long to understand. They scan and rapidly interpret potential threats, if any, so as to undertake the necessary action.

Not to miss the rodent’s exceptional ability to smell, which exceeds humans by several notches. Even when the sound of a possible hazard is not heard, the olfactory sense is powerful enough to help in deciding whether an escape move should be made or not.

Vocalization Patterns

Whop said rabbits don’t speak? There are several sounds that your pet can make, which indicates different moods and needs. While ‘growling’ or ‘grunting’ indicates strong disapproval or anger, ‘snorting’ happens when you fail to provide him or her required attention. Besides, it could also mean that the creature shows some symptoms of respiratory infection. Often your rabbit might ‘purr’, meaning that a light clicking sound is made with the teeth to express contentment or pleasure. But it can be very different from ‘tooth grinding’ when he or she faces a lot of distress and discomfort.

There are other cute sounds like ‘honking’, which is almost inaudible for that’s a romantic gesture to attract a partner. Also, he or she may ‘squeal’ and ‘whimper’ depending on the situation.

Non Verbal Communication

It was not always that rabbits were domesticated. Prior to that, they lived in groups (warrens) where they formed hierarchies and socially active system. So, certain behavioral aspects must be understood when sounds are absent, or better called bunny body language.

Trust your bunny to ‘box’, implying that he or she stands on the hind legs and throws punches. You can also see these creatures ‘bunch’ when they keeping pulling and biting off towels, bed sheets and pillows. ‘Burrowing’, ‘digging’ and ‘chewing’ are natural behaviors. You can also find then ‘circling’ around your feet or even another rabbit when they wish to express excitement, happiness or simply get noticed. There are times you might feel your pet is asking ‘to be groomed’, especially when he or she nudges you and simply waits for your approval.
As much they ‘stretch’, ‘thump’, ‘nip’ or demonstrate playful behaviors, rabbits also tend to deviate from their normal behavior. Don’t be surprised if they act aggressive or reject to your moves. After all, they can never conform to some established rabbit behaviors!

So is your bunny happy or sad?

Initially, you might experience trouble reading your cute pet. Besides, every creature is different despite having some common attributes. So, expect your bunny to behave quite differently from that of your neighbor’s. Behavior is not merely an individual personality, but also depends on vital factors like past experiences, age, gender, and several other factors.

What you can do is identify few common patterns of the bunny body language and it won’t be too arduous a job to figure out if yours’ ranks high on the happiness scale or low.

Related: 50 Funny Rabbit Pictures to Make You Smile

How to pick out the obvious signs?

When you see your rodent is lying down in a relaxed pose with the ears close together, or the eyes shut partially, be assured that it’s happy. They also display what is called ‘binkies’, when you see them jumping and twisting mid air.

On the contrary, if you find your bunny hiding or sitting crouched, it’s time you take notice of the anxiousness or discomfort.
At the same time, bunnies thumping their feet on the ground with the tail raised up or standing tense keeping the body lowered are signs of his or her unhappiness.
If certain behaviors from your rabbit alarm you, never hesitate to visit your veterinary. After all, it’s about the well being of your pet, so why delay unnecessarily?