Rabbit Behaviour
Rabbits are very communicative and social and you can learn a lot about your rabbit from watching his body language:
Both ears up with inside of ear facing forward - friendly, happy bunny
Inside of ears turned outward - getting annoyed
One ear up and one ear down - more annoyed, could go either way
Ears up with inside turned to back - annoyed, getting angry
Lays ears back from position described above, crouched body - prepare to be bitten
Looks at you and waggles ears - happy, wants to interact
Turns back on you - you have been dismissed
Thumps and turns back on you - you have caused great offense
Moves away from you flicking its back feet - you have causes annoyance
Flopped with both back legs out side together - relaxed
Flat as possible on tummy with ears laid down in relaxed way - wants to be petted
Pushes head under your hand or under your chin if you are cuddling - wants to be petted
Pokes you with nose - marking or accepting you
Licks you - grooming behavior; a great favor for a rabbit to bestow; you can reciprocate by petting him
Purring sound when you are petting - this is tooth purr; happy content rabbit
Jumping and twisting in the air (called a binky) - happy rabbit
Racing wildly around the room - in the absence of any fear stimulus this is a happy bunny (if he is happy he will stop and groom or flop; if frightened will try to hide or stop and freeze)
Stands up on hind legs (called telescoping) - checking things out
Frozen with heart racing - terrified
Yawning - indicates anxiety
Consumption of moist fecal pellets - normal behavior essential for nutrition
Pulling out fur and making a nest - normal behavior for unspayed female bunny
Digging in litter box - may just like to dig; may indicate dirty litter box
Chewing on bars of cage - bored; give him toys, more attention, more freedom, chewable items, adequate hay
