Rabbit Language
Rabbits have many different signs/indicators that help us understand what they are trying to tell us! Here are some different ways to tell what your bunny is trying to tell you!
Grunting
-Rabbits grunt when they are annoyed, or don’t want to be touched.
Honking
-Sounds a lot like grunting, but is associated when a rabbit is happy or excited. Often times this sound is made when a rabbit is circling something.
Buzzing
-A sound made when mating, or they’re happy and want you to cuddle them.
Tooth Clicking
-This is a soft grinding sound rabbits will make with their teeth, this occurs when they are comfy, relaxed or happy.
Tooth Grinding
-Harsher version of Tooth Clicking. This occurs when a rabbit is stressed, mad or uncomfortable.
Squeaking
-This sound is made when a rabbit is in some sort of pain/distress.
Screaming
-Rabbits scream when they are in extreme pain and when they think they are about to die.
Binky
-A binky is when a rabbit is really happy, comfortable and is very relaxed. The bunny will jump and twist around as s/he runs around.
Bunching
-A rabbit will push or bite something and move it around how they want it.
Digging
-Natural instinct for bunnies. This can include the rabbit digging in the litter box, the rug, or just the ground in general.
Chinning
Rabbits do this to mark their territory. Rabbits will chin humans, objects and just random stuff they come in contact with. This involves the rabbit rubbing its chin on the object in question.
Flopping
Flopping is when a rabbit is really happy and relaxed. They will be standing and just flop over on their side.
Licking
When a rabbit licks it is the same as when cats lick. It is an expression of affection, and it also is a way of grooming.
Lunging
Is when a rabbit is not happy or wants you to go away. It is disapproval, and can sometimes be somewhat aggressive. It is a rabbit's way of saying “Hey! What are you doing?! No!”. Some things that can lead a rabbit to resort in lunging is: every time you open the cage you immediately take the bunny out without it’s approval or when it doesn’t want to be touched… Or not giving the rabbit a hut to hide in when it feels threatened. Rabbits are prey animals therefore need to be supplied with the proper things.
Mounting
This is a mating thing, but also dominance behavior. Females will mount other females or males other males until it is all sorted out who is the dominate one.
Biting
Biting usually means that they are scared, not necessarily when a rabbit is mad at you, but more so when they are scared. It is not to be confused with Nipping.
Nipping
Can be to get your attention or you are in the way of them and can also be somewhat aggressive.
Nudging
A rabbit nudging can mean several different things like: get out of my way, give me attention, also when exploring its like “what is this?”.
Flicking
Is when a bunny doesn't like something. Sometimes when you put them back in their cage they will flick their back feet at you as they hop away basically there way of “kicking dirt” at you.
Thumping
Is when a rabbit is not happy. They will thump their foot in disapproval.