Social behaviours

Behaviours associated with rabbits’ need to form social groups, socialise, and communicate

 

Biting • Bowing • Boxing • Chasing • Chin rubbing • Circling • Communicating • Ears • Eyes • Fighting • Flattening • Flicking feet • Flopping • Fur pulling • Grinding teeth • Grooming • Growling/grunting • Head flat/chin on ground • Hiccups • Hiding pain • Hierarchical behaviours • Honking • Hunching • Kicking • Licking • Loafing • Lowering head • Lunging • Lying • Mounting • Nibbling • Nipping • Nose • Nudging • Panting • Purring • Rapid breathing • Scent marking • Scratching • Screaming • Shaking • Sitting up • Smelling • Socialising • Splooting • Spraying urine • Squealing • Tail • Teeth chattering/grinding • Thumping • Turning back on company • Twitching nose • Vocalising • Whimpering

 

Behaviours summary

Wild rabbits thrive within social groups, with intricate structures that they establish using a range of hierarchical behaviours. Their techniques for communicating are subtle compared to other mammals – vocalising is minimal, but they convey information using body language and scent marking. Communication is essential in maintaining their territorial boundaries, alerting others in the colony to potential threats, and informing chosen mates of their intentions during courtship. Although there is territorial competition within a colony, and a strict hierarchy is enforced, there is also a high level of interdependence, especially as rabbits rely heavily on communal vigilance for their survival. 

Domestic rabbits also thrive with suitable companionship, but it’s important that we always ensure they are carefully bonded with any new rabbit companions, making sure we understand their body language sufficiently to avoid any fighting during the process. 

Our rabbits have many means of communicating, and much of this relies on subtle changes in their facial muscles and body position, which can be easily missed or misinterpreted. This is one of the reasons rabbits are often misunderstood, and their care needs aren’t met – a silent, still rabbit isn’t always content, and a biting rabbit isn’t necessarily being aggressive. Just because we can’t hear them complain, doesn’t mean we should assume they are happy. Rabbits cannot bark to be let out for a run, whine because they are being held uncomfortably, or mew because they are cramped in a small hutch, lonely and bored. 

We have a responsibility, as owners, to learn their language by spending time with them and observing their behaviours. This helps us to understand what our rabbits are trying to tell us, and to know how they are feeling, so that we can respond accordingly and provide the best care.

Mabel and Dijon, the perfect couple.