Understanding Animal Behavior & Communication
Rabbit Behaviors
Below are some examples of different behaviors rabbits display when they communicate with people, other rabbits, and other animals. A rabbit does not express all of these behaviors in each situation. Remember to observe the complete picture within the rabbit’s environment when interpreting these behaviors. Variations between individual rabbits, as well as between breeds, must be considered when interpreting behaviors.
Relaxed Posture, Alert Posture, Playful Posture, Startled Posture, Active/Passive Submission Posture, Fearful Posture, and Aggressive Posture.
Relaxed Posture
Silent- Purring or soft clicking noise
- Quiet grinding of teeth
- Head protrudes forward
- Ears at ease
- Lays on belly
- Lays on side, stretched out (almost appears dead)
Alert Posture
- Head up
- Ears forward
- Sits up noticeably on all fours
- Sits up on hind feet
Playful Posture
- Jumps
- Bounces
- Leaps
- Twists in air
- Kicks to the side
Startled Posture
- Eyes wide open, sclera visible
- Ears up, pushed togetherHead up
- Alert
- Sitting position
- Sits up on toes
Active/Passive Submission Posture
Lies close/crouched down close to ground- Appears small and non-threatening
- Ears pinned back or one ear up with one ear down
- Avoids eye contact and/or indirect eye contact
- May push throat out
Fearful Posture
Silent- Screams if extremely frightened (or in pain)
- Rapid breathing
- Ears pinned tightly back
- Facial muscles very tight, making eyes bulge, appearing to pop out of head (can see sclera)
- Posture very similar to submissive rabbit
- Body pressed to ground
- Appears to freeze in position
- Signals warning by thumping hind feet
- If fleeing, raises hindquarters, displaying white underside of tail
- Kicks high and straight back
Aggressive Posture
Loudly grinds teeth, grunts, growls, hisses- May bite
- Ears pinned tightly back
- May shake head
- Stiff-legged
- Scrapes ground with front feet
- Kicks with hind feet
- Chases
- Dominant male may spray subordinate male rabbit