03/02/2024
How to Speak Rabbit
Understanding Your Rabbit : Behavioral and Vocal Communication
Rabbits have a complex language all their own. They talk to each other and to
humans using a wide variety of body positions and a few vocalizations. Your
own rabbit’s personality and dialect can best be learned through patient
observation. Learning to “read” your rabbit and understanding how they
communicate is one of the joys of sharing your home with a rabbit. Watch
closely to learn the fascinating intricacies of “rabbit-talk.”
▪ Ears
Ears are like a rabbit’s radar. They are used for tuning in to what’s
going on around them. Their ears are both expressive and inquisitive.
Watch to see if you can figure out just what both ears forward, both
ears back, or one ear forward and one ear back means. Hint:
“Something has caught my attention.” “I’m giving my radar a rest.”
“Something is going on which doesn’t yet warrant my full attention.”
▪ Grunting
Grunts are often angry reactions to a human behavior or towards
another rabbit and may be followed by scratching or biting. Rabbits
grunt when they feel threatened, or to show their disapproval if they
do not want to be handled – means “leave me alone” -or- “back off!”
Some rabbits show their disapproval by grunting to protect what is
theirs (cage, food, etc.) from a human hand or another rabbit and
often, that is the extent of their anger.
▪ Tooth-clicking
Indicates great pleasure and contentment – means “I’m a happy
rabbit.” Tooth-clicking, often described as like a cat’s purring, occurs
while a rabbit is being petted/stroked or when they are completely
relaxed and comfortable with their environment.
▪ Tooth-grinding
Indicates severe pain, discomfort, or stress. Often, body language
accompanying tooth-grinding is that of a rabbit sitting hunched up in
corner of a room or cage. Your rabbit is sick and you need to seek
veterinary care immediately.
▪ Honking
Soft, almost inaudible sounds is a courting behavior. Honking is usually
accompanied by circling.
▪ Circling
Circling Also a courting behavior. Can be used to get attention from
human companions.
▪ Mounting
Indicates a hormonal rabbit and time for spaying or neutering. (See
honking and circling.) For altered rabbits, this behavior says “I’m the
dominant rabbit and don’t you forget it.”
▪ Spraying
Another sign its time for spaying or neutering. Males that are not
neutered will mark their territory, including you, other pets, everything in
range! One little hop really gets it flying! Females will also spray.
▪ Territory droppings
Droppings that are not in a pile, but are scattered, are signs that this
territory belongs to the rabbit. This will often occur upon entering a new
environment. If another rabbit lives in the same house this may always
be a nuisance.
▪ Chinning
Scent glands are located under a rabbit’s chin. Rubbing with the
underside of the chin is your rabbit’s way of marking his/her territory –
“this belongs to me” -or- “I’ve been here.”
▪ Thumping
Rabbits thump to get attention, to express displeasure, fear, or as a
warning to others at something seen or heard.
▪ Nose-nudging
Means several things in rabbit language: “Pet me now” -or- “Move out
of the way” -or- “Pay attention to me.”
▪ Flopping
Indicates a totally relaxed, comfortable rabbit. Your rabbit appears to
have an attack, suddenly falling or flipping over on his/her side
exposing their belly. Means “life is wonderful.”
▪ Tail-wagging
Believe it or not, your rabbit can, and will wag his/her tail. Indicates
defiance – “No, I don’t want to go to my cage!” -or- “You can’t make
me!” -or- “You’re not the boss of me!” Watch closely and you’ll see
that your rabbit will occasionally “back-talk” – they just think you won’t
notice!
▪ Begging
Rabbits are particularly bad about begging, especially for sweets. Who
can resist those eyes and that cute mouth? Beware of giving treats as
overweight rabbits are not as healthy as trim rabbits.
▪ REM sleep
Watch to see – your rabbits eyelids twitch, his ears twitch, and his
whiskers vibrate. His teeth click. He starts to fall to one side, then rights
himself, then relaxes again. You have a comfortable, happy rabbit
who is slipping off to bunny dreamland!
▪ Dancing
Your rabbit is dashing about the room, kicking up her heels and making
180-degree turns in mid-air. The House Rabbit Handbook describes
dancing as a “frolicking series of sideways kicks and midair leaps
accompanied by a few head shakes and body gyrations.” This is a
happy rabbit, content and in a great frame of mind.
▪ Playing
Rabbits like to push or toss objects around – even bowls and/or
litterboxes. Give your rabbit some toys and watch the fun!
▪ Happy feet
Hind feet are stretched out fully behind your rabbit. Means “I’m relaxed
and comfortable but ready to move at a moments notice.”
▪ Nipping
Like a little pinch, nipping can also mean several different in rabbit
language. “I want your attention – NOW!” -or- “This is a warning.”
Nipping can also be used in a grooming sense as in “I like that you pet
me so, I will groom you.”
▪ Licking
Rabbits lick for affection, not for salt. Licking means “I love you, I trust
you.”
▪ Lunging
Lunging may occur when you reach into your rabbit’s cage to clean,
give food, or to take your rabbit out – a sign of disapproval. Can
usually be remedied by getting the rabbit accustomed to whatever is
occurring. In the meantime, place your hand on your rabbit’s head to
calm him/her while performing the task.
▪ Don’t touch my stuff
Some rabbits rebel (and are none too concerned about showing you)
when you rearrange or move items in their cage. As creatures of habit
and when they get things just right, they like them to remain that way.
▪ Tense body, upright tail, laid back ears
Means “watch out” – your rabbit is on the offensive and is prepared to
lunge and possibly bite.
▪ Third inner eyelid shows in corner of eye
Indicates fright or uneasiness, a sign of stress.
▪ Screaming
Indicates mortal terror or excruciating pain.
