rabbit behaviours

Question 1

healthy behaviours

Answer 1

• energetic periods → early morning, evening (crepuscular)
• nose twitching
• rearing up
• ears forward = curious
• ears forward, not tensed = relaxed

Question 2

behaviours indicating illness / pain

Answer 2

• grinding teeth
• lack of movement
• hunched
• increased respiration
• overgrooming
• ears pinned back + tense body = anger / aggression
• grunting = aggression
• screaming = pain and / or terror

Question 3

atypical behaviours

Answer 3

• unusual aggression → to owner / handler or other rabbits
• overgrooming
• bar-biting (if in cage)
• pacing

Question 4

wild behaviours

Answer 4

• digging
• jumping
• rearing up
• foraging
• circling + vocalisations (honking / oinking) = courtship behaviour
• chinning = scent marking through rubbing the underside of the chin on something
• thumping = tapping hind legs → sensing danger / expressing anger or frustration
• binky = jump + twist → positive emotions