Any other rabbit caretakers/ lovers here?

Soma Seer · Nov 24, 2015

My husband and I have lived with three rabbits, one of whom is still with us--8.5 years after we got her and her sister. (We adopted an extremely lovable male bun a year later.)

People are amazed when I tell them that rabbits recognize key words/terms--especially their names and the word no.

They can learn tricks and often perform certain rituals for the sheer enjoyment of it. Like my Zoe (RIP), who'd wait in her room's doorway while I stood in a straight line from her at the far end of the house; she'd wait until I spread my feet apart and called out, "Come on, Zoe!" (pronounced Zoh--a nickname). She'd race down the hallway and zip through my legs, always pleased with herself. She had a great sense of humor.

I think what I really love and respect about rabbits is that, as a prey species, you must really earn their trust--more so than with a dog or cat, in my experience. And once a rabbit trusts you completely, the bond you can have with him/her is amazing.

SS

Thrash Metalhead · Dec 1, 2015

That's really interesting! I didn't know they were a prey species. Guess I learned something new today.
The only experience I ever had with them was when I once went to a petting zoo and they put a bunny in the basket and I got to pet them. They're so cute and precious I could just explode from it, ha ha!

Soma Seer · Dec 1, 2015

Thrash Metalhead said:
I didn't know they were a prey species. Guess I learned something new today.

So did you previously believe that rabbits were a predatory species?

(I suddenly am picturing the killer rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. LOL)

The only experience I ever had with them was when I once went to a petting zoo and they put a bunny in the basket and I got to pet them. They're so cute and precious I could just explode from it, ha ha!

Rabbits' cuteness definitely could make one's head explode. I've lived with the cuteness for long enough that I'm more neutral to it, yet there are moments that still make me say, "Awww!" and bust out the camera for a photo.

Rabbits also are tougher than many people realize. For example, males will fight to the death over territorial issues. Females will go after one another very viciously, too. And rabbits can overcome health issues that you'd think they surely couldn't defeat; so in both regards, they truly are fighters. And, yet, they can be super fragile at the same time. It's a delicate balancing act in terms of caring for them.

Thrash Metalhead · Dec 1, 2015

Soma Seer said:
So did you previously believe that rabbits were a predatory species? (I suddenly am picturing the killer rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. LOL)

Rabbits' cuteness definitely could make one's head explode. I've lived with the cuteness for long enough that I'm more neutral to it, yet there are moments that still make me say, "Awww!" and bust out the camera for a photo.

Rabbits also are tougher than many people realize. For example, males will fight to the death over territorial issues. Females will go after one another very viciously, too. And rabbits can overcome health issues that you'd think they surely couldn't defeat; so in both regards, they truly are fighters. And, yet, they can be super fragile at the same time. It's a delicate balancing act in terms of caring for them.

Wow, that's really something. Thanks for the info about them, it's nice to know!

The part about the males fighting for territory doesn't really surprise me since just about in every species that's quite common. As for the females, I'd thought they wouldn't have much trouble as the males and would be getting along more than the male.

I have one question to ask, if you don't mind, but rabbits bite, right? What kinds of circumstances need to happen in order for a rabbit to bite? Thanks.

Soma Seer · Dec 1, 2015

Thrash Metalhead said:
The part about the males fighting for territory doesn't really surprise me since just about in every species that's quite common. As for the females, I'd thought they wouldn't have much trouble as the males and would be getting along more than the male.

The fact that male rabbits try to remove each other's, erm, privates with their back feet (nails) is what I found rather shocking--coupled with the fact that they'll fight to the death.

I have one question to ask, if you don't mind, but rabbits bite, right? What kinds of circumstances need to happen in order for a rabbit to bite? Thanks.

They can/do bite, but most people's pet rabbits do not. I suspect a rabbit will bite if feeling territorial aggression, sexual aggression (if not neutered/spayed), or if it's endured abuse and, thus, bites out of fear.

I've been bitten twice under specific circumstances. Once, my male rabbit (RIP) smelled one of my female rabbits on my long sleeves and, so, bit at them--and lightly nipped my arm. (That was a territorial issue.) The other time, one of my females (RIP) nipped me because she felt unwell and I kept attempting to press my ear against her side (to listen to her gut sounds to see how "off" her digestion might be). I pushed the envelop even after she warned me away with several nudges, so that bite was my fault entirely.

Thrash Metalhead · Dec 2, 2015

Soma Seer said:
The fact that male rabbits try to remove each other's, erm, privates with their back feet (nails) is what I found rather shocking--coupled with the fact that they'll fight to the death.

They can/do bite, but most people's pet rabbits do not. I suspect a rabbit will bite if feeling territorial aggression, sexual aggression (if not neutered/spayed), or if it's endured abuse and, thus, bites out of fear.

I've been bitten twice under specific circumstances. Once, my male rabbit (RIP) smelled one of my female rabbits on my long sleeves and, so, bit at them--and lightly nipped my arm. (That was a territorial issue.) The other time, one of my females (RIP) nipped me because she felt unwell and I kept attempting to press my ear against her side (to listen to her gut sounds to see how "off" her digestion might be). I pushed the envelop even after she warned me away with several nudges, so that bite was my fault entirely.

Okay, thank you for answering my question.

I only ask because my mother's father used to have a bunny farm and she would like to play with the babies and cuddle up with them. Her father told her okay, but don't go to these specific rabbits because they bite if you get too close to them. To me, I never knew that rabbits could bite until she told me that and I was a bit shocked because I always thought they were these harmless little creatures but hey, now I know, ha ha.

AnneY · Jan 26, 2016

My favorite animal is the rabbit, they're just amazing!

Unfortunately I don't have any rabbits at the moment, but it's for the best, maybe someday I'll be in a better position to care for rabbits properly. I've had many rabbits over the years and I really miss having them around. Here are my last two rabbits who have sadly passed away.

This was Alvin, he was a bratty bun who loved bouncing about outside, bothering my dog (she never hurt him or my other rabbit), and waking me up in the mornings by jumping on my bed and licking my nose. He enjoyed knocking things over and drinking/knocking over my cup of tea.

And this was Dusty, a tiny little fuzzball who was a bit flighty but still overcame his fears and got just as good at bothering my dog as Alvin was. He actually learned his name, and while he wouldn't "come" (unless I crinkled a snack bag), he would look up if I called him. :/ He and Alvin both had a "what's in it for me?" attitude.

Soma Seer · Feb 5, 2016

Your former bun charges were very cute. (I've no doubt that they're across the Rainbow Bridge, having a blast as a part of the largest rabbit herd anyone could attempt to imagine.

)

I've been rather blessed, in that all three rabbits learned a number of words/phrases, to which they clearly responded. They also would come when called about 98% of the time. (The other 2% was when they decided to be catlike and ignore me. LOL)

Our third/final bun, who now is 8.5 years old, always was our smartest. She's terribly sassy and very opinionated--which I've heard is common for the Mini Rex breed.

AnneY said:
And this was Dusty, a tiny little fuzzball who was a bit flighty but still overcame his fears and got just as good at bothering my dog as Alvin was. He actually learned his name, and while he wouldn't "come" (unless I crinkled a snack bag), he would look up if I called him. :/ He and Alvin both had a "what's in it for me?" attitude.

SloriB · Mar 1, 2016

Rabbits and guinea pigs are just adorable. I had them when I was a kid and LOVED them. We cared for a neighbour's rabbit for a few years. She was beautiful, but she had her little ways. I remember my brother wanted to eat dinner with her in her aviary (the joys of a 7-year-old!) and she came over for some food. When he didn't share, she bit his leg lol

Soma Seer · Mar 1, 2016

SloriB said:
Rabbits and guinea pigs are just adorable. I had them when I was a kid and LOVED them. We cared for a neighbour's rabbit for a few years. She was beautiful, but she had her little ways. I remember my brother wanted to eat dinner with her in her aviary (the joys of a 7-year-old!) and she came over for some food. When he didn't share, she bit his leg lol

From living with rabbits, I've learned that they can be exceedingly sassy; so it doesn't surprise me that your neighbor's rabbit would express her displeasure over your brother not sharing his food with her. (Mind you, I feel bad for him; rabbit bites are quite unpleasant, though I've been rather lucky in that regard.)

SloriB · Mar 1, 2016

He was lucky that he was wearing thick pants, so it was just a scratch. She was a beautiful rabbit, but how are he not share with her!

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Any other rabbit caretakers/ lovers here?

Soma Seer

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Thrash Metalhead

I'm not so Grump

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Soma Seer

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Thrash Metalhead

I'm not so Grump

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Soma Seer

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Thrash Metalhead

I'm not so Grump

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AnneY

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Soma Seer

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SloriB

Pet lover and empathetic intellectual

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Soma Seer

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SloriB

Pet lover and empathetic intellectual

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