Why do rabbits…? Your behaviour questions answered

You may notice that your rabbit’s nose twitches often and – while it looks cute – there are practical reasons for this, too.

Rabbits twitch their noses to enhance their overall sense of smell. As their noses shift up, the nasal passages open to allow additional airflow into their olfactory senses.

However, rabbits also tend to twitch their noses more if they are too hot or stressed. If your rabbit is frightened, their nose may twitch faster – sometimes up to 120 times a minute.

So, watch out for a change in nose-twitching behaviour – especially on warm days.

Just like the rabbit Thumper from Bambi, rabbits like to bang their feet on the ground. Often, they do this to attract the attention of others, but sometimes it’s to let others know there’s a predator about.

However, rabbits may also thump their feet to warn you off if they don’t want attention right now, so be mindful of this when approaching them.

Like many animals, rabbits have scent glands on their heads. Sometimes referred to as ‘chinning’, rabbits will rub their chin on an item to mark it with their scent and mark their territory. This behaviour also helps them to identify where they have been before.

If you notice your rabbit rubbing their chin on their hutch – or on the furniture, if you have house rabbits – it can show that they feel at home.

If your rabbit is trying to lick you, it might be that they are curious about your scent, so are trying to investigate or taste your skin.

However, a little lick from your pet rabbit can also show that they like you and are trying to establish a closer bond.

Rabbits living in pairs can often be seen grooming each other. If they are comfortable with you, they may extend the courtesy to you and give you a lick.

Believe it or not, it’s completely normal – and necessary – for a rabbit to eat their own droppings.

Rabbits pass a certain kind of dropping called ‘caecotrophs’, which still has plenty of nutrition in it. Not all the nutrients are absorbed the first time a rabbit’s food travels through their digestive tract. So, rabbits need to eat their poop to send it through a second time – straight from their bottom!

Grunting can be a sign that your rabbit is unhappy. Maybe they don’t want to be picked up, or are trying to eat, so it’s best to leave them in peace.

If you continue to interact with them, a rabbit may progress to snorting, hissing, or even nipping you next. Make sure you explain this behaviour to children, so they don’t get hurt. Find some more tips on rabbit behaviour problems here.

While rabbits can flip their bowls to try and get more food out of them, it’s usually due to boredom.

However, rabbits can see their bowls as toys, which they love to chuck around. As territorial animals, they like their homes to be arranged in a certain way, too. If you put their hay, feeding bowls and toys in a different place to where they like it, they’ll soon get busy putting it right.

This adorable behaviour is often referred to as the ‘binky’.

This movement – where your rabbit jumps up and twists their body while kicking their legs – denotes pure happiness. It’s literally them jumping for joy!

If a previously-loving rabbit has started to become aggressive, it’s a warning sign. They may be in pain or have an issue with their hormones, so it’s best to pay a visit to the vet. They may discuss neutering with you.

Alternatively, your rabbit might just be bored. Make sure they have plenty of space to run, with enough room for at least three hops. They also need enough height to be able to stand upright on their back legs, and some toys to play with, too.

No matter their breed, your rabbit is related to the European wild rabbit. Their scientific name, Oryctolagus cuniculus, translates to ‘hare-like digger of underground passages’ – so it’s no surprise that they like to have a go at digging burrows.

Rather than allowing them to tear up your lawn, it’s best to give them their own space to practise their digging.