Rabbits 101: The Basics II

(Previously: The Basics, I)

A Primer to the Domestic House Rabbit: The Basics, II

1. The importance of spaying and neutering
2. Personality: rabbits have a lot of it
3. Body Language: ears, flops and binkies, and "getting the butt"

The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

This is something that I cannot stress enough and probably should have been in the first post, that's why it's first here.  A house rabbit needs to be altered (spayed if they're female, neutered if they're male).

Finding a rabbit-experienced vet is difficult, but the trouble - and money - is worth it (I'll add a page of rabbit-savvy vets).  The first question we always ask a vet when/if we have to switch is: "Do females rabbits go into heat?"  If they say yes - we turn around and walk out.

Female rabbits, also called does (males are called bucks), are induced ovulators, meaning they only release eggs after mating.  A doe is typically able to become pregnant after she's 4-5 months old, depending on breed and size of the rabbit, though the chances of her litter surviving when she's that young aren't high.  After reaching sexual maturity, a doe can produce a litter every 31 days.  So it's incredibly important to alter all rabbits in the house to avoid any accidental litters.  (And if you're thinking about doing this intentionally - because "oh, baby bunnies are just so adorbs i want five" - don't.  I've been there, done that - it's a mistake, trust me.)

But getting rabbits altered isn't important just to keep down the number of domestic rabbits - it also significantly reduces their chances of cancer.  An unaltered rabbit has an 80% chance of developing cancer.

Also, rabbits are naturally territorial and males can get very, very aggressive.  Sure there's all the fun videos on YouTube of young boy bunnies humping balloons and the occasional chicken - but these rabbits can quickly turn from playful to mean.  But more about how that's expressed in part 3 of this primer and in this next section.

Personality: Rabbits have a lot of it.

Rabbits are super independent.  They don't constantly need validation the way dogs do, nor do they necessarily make demands the way cats do.  Rabbits are very self-confident and like to just go about their business.

There are exceptions, of course.  Like dogs and cats, each rabbit has its own unique personality and ways they like to be handled (or not handled).

There are rabbits like Amanda Panda, one of the rabbits out at Heartland Rabbit Rescue, who loves to be cuddled.  She will ignore treats placed in her bowl and stand on her hind legs, stretching up to whoever is visiting - much like how a toddler comes up to you with open arms, asking to be picked up.

Amanda Panda

There are rabbits like Ty-ty, my own rabbit, who like to be cuddled, but not to be picked up.  There are rabbits like Ziggy who will only accept head scratches and the occasional kiss on the nose.  And there are rabbits like Rocket - a Heartland rabbit - who will have nothing to do with anyone.

Now, a rabbit's history has a lot of impact on how touchy-feely they are and on who they are as individuals - much in the same way our own life events shape and mold us into who we are today.

Unlike cats or dogs, rabbit aren't all that vocal.  The only exception is when they are under extreme distress - then they squeak or scream and there's no sound worse than that.  So since they don't bark or meow, you have to be patient and learn the vast amounts of ways rabbits do talk.

Body Language: Ears, Flops and Binkies, and "Getting The Butt"

A rabbit's ears are key into deciphering what a rabbit wants those around them to know.  So, with lop eared rabbits, things can get kinda tricky.  For example, with Jack, pictured below, it took a while to learn what he was trying to communicate to me since my experience with lops had been limited at the time.  But, while ear placement is important, there are other ways rabbits communicate.

I'm sorry, Jacky, I have no idea what you're trying to tell me right now.

The way a rabbit is sitting/standing is a big indicator of how they are feeling.  A variety of postures can indicate if a rabbit is interested in something nearby (they may hear something outside the house), if they feel threatened, or if they're relaxed.

Rabbits also thump to indicate that something isn't quite right.  (Forget what you see in Bambi and The Hobbit - rabbits actually use both hind legs, not just one, to stomp the ground.  Rabbits back legs are powerful and the sound will reverberate through the ground - useful when you and your buddies are burrowing animals.)

A super relaxed rabbit will flop onto their side just before they go to sleep - often kicking all four legs up towards the ceiling before slowly rolling back onto their sides.  Generally, the harder it is to get back up - the more relaxed a rabbit is.  Domestic rabbits still retain much of the prey instincts of their wild cousins and so a flop is a great compliment to you - it means your bun feels safe around you.

Tywin, the most relaxed bun to ever bun.  Fun fact: frozen water bottles are
the best way to keep rabbits extra cool during the summer.

A super excited rabbit will often binky - jumping into the air, kicking their back legs out, and twisting their bodies.  The higher the rabbit jumps, the happier they are!  For the most part.  Ty can't really get very far off the ground.

Towards the other end of the spectrum: if you're on a rabbit's bad side, you'll know it.  A rabbit will pointedly turn away from you, "giving you the butt," to let you know when you're being irritating.  Sometimes, they'll even look over your shoulder - just to make sure you know that you're in trouble.

Rabbits even lay down, facing away from you (or another rabbit) just to show how uninteresting you are to them.  Here's an example:

Ziggy is underneath the table, Khan is in the cage, Ty is in the middle.

Rabbits are often just presented as just props for a child's Easter-themed photos or as a metaphor for sex.  The truth is that they are every bit as complicated as people; they have their own unique personalities and needs.  Their vet care is expensive, as is the amount of damage they can do around your house...

Coming Up

1. The Hazards
1. I killed that snake for you: rabbits vs. power cords
2. Everything must go: rabbits vs. your furniture
3. I don't like that: rabbits vs. you, biting/scratching
2. My Best Success Story and the Whole Point of Doing a Rabbit Primer
1. Cadbury, the Church Rabbit
2. What has been done: the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign and the house rabbit memes
3. What needs to be done:  education, education, education