Body Language 101: Understanding Your Rabbit’s Mood

Loaf

A loaf is when your rabbit looks like a puffy ball with ears. They tuck their legs under them and rest. It is a good way for them to keep their extremities warm.

This is one of the main rabbity positions, and you will see your rabbit is often in this pose. They will also sleep in this position because it is comfortable.

Loaf with Paws

This is the same as a loaf, but with the front paws poking out a little bit. Rabbits do this to put most of their weight onto their arm muscles, rather than their back end. This is a way they just shift their weight around.

Loaf with Long Arms

This is one of the weirdest and funniest poses a rabbit will do. They sit in a loaf with their arms stretched out as far as they can be. It looks uncomfortable, but it isn’t.

Sometimes one arm will be much longer than the other, and other times they will be both the same length.

This is also called the Extended Loaf position.

Flat

When the bunny lays like a blob with its head flat on the ground and its feet tucked under its body. The rabbit itself looks like a pancake from the top. They do this to spread their body weight evenly, and their head gets heavy, so they rest it on the floor.

This is also known as a pancake, but I like calling it a bunny-rug.

Croissant

Where the rabbit lays on its side, in the same curved shape as a croissant. This pose makes it look like the rabbit is really comfortable wherever it is laying.

Baguette

Where the rabbit lays on its side, in the same curved shape as a croissant. This pose makes it look like the rabbit is really comfortable wherever it is laying.

Relaxed Sprawl

This is when the rabbit is laying with its tummy on the floor, with is back feet poking out one side.

Pained Sprawl

This sprawl has the rabbits back feet slightly lifting up the rump. Sometimes it’s only a little bit, but other times it can be so much that the rabbit is on tip-toes.

Be aware, there is a type of sprawl called that means your bun has a sore tummy or a bit of gas, and it is pressing it against the floor to help digestion and ease the pain.

Keep an eye on your bunny to see if it continues eating and pooping. You may have to give it a tummy massage.

Sphinx

Is when the rabbit sits in an Extended Loaf position, where it stretches their arms out as far as they can. They usually stretch their backs and go long, and have a bubble-butt. They look like the sphinx in Egypt.

The Skirt

This is where the rabbit is laying like a long sausage on its tummy, but its back feet are tucked neatly under its rump. Its whole back foot is flat on the floor. From the back, it looks like the rabbit is wearing a skirt.

Sploot

This is another weird rabbit pose. It means that the rabbit is content and trusts you. A sploot is when the rabbit lays on its tummy on the floor with its back legs sticking out as far as they go, directly behind them, and their front arms stretched out. Sometimes the rabbit may even lay its head on the floor.

It’s a good indicator that your bunny feels safe and secure, and that it is happy and healthy.

It is also called the Superman, or the chicken leg sploot.

Flop

This is where a rabbit loudly falls on their side and looks like they are dead. That is why this is also called the death flop. It looks scary to new rabbit owners, but it just means that the rabbit is 100% relaxed, happy, asleep and it trusts you.

Some rabbits flop a perfect 90° onto their backs, others do a whole 180° flop. Others, just crash down making a loud noise and lay on their side.

They make a loud noise when they flop because their arms are short and they can’t lay down with dignity, like a horse, dog, cat or cow. They end up rattling their cage or bumping walls and furniture with their backs. The louder the noise the deeper the sleep.

If you’re worried look for breathing. Sometimes it is hard to see your bunny breathing in a flop, because they are so relaxed that there is only a slight breathing movement. Just be patient and you should see movement.

Proud

This position is also called confident. This is where the rabbit is fine with everything that is happening around them and they are relaxed. They are watching their humans like they are in a sitcom and the rabbit is the live audience. If you live up to your rabbits high expectations of comedy, they may show their appreciation by binkying.

Periscope

Standing up on hind legs and look around. Imagine it like a submarine periscope, where you’re trying to find out more information about an area.

They also use this as a cute way to get treats. It will melt your heart and they know it. Don’t overfeed treats you your bun, be strong.

This is also called Meerkating.

Grooming Ears and Face

Grooming is the rabbit having a bath, and it is the sweetest thing your rabbit will do. They start off by shaking their hands to get grit off, and then they lick them. They then rub their hands over their eyes and ears. They will even pull their ears down to make sure they are super clean.

Rabbits will also turn all the way around and lick their backs and rumps.

Grooming Feet

They will also sit down and pull their back feet forward, stretch their toes out and lick between their toes. Female rabbits spend a lot of time keeping their back feet clean.

Binky

Binkies are really cute. They are when your bunny jumps in the air and twists their back legs out. This is pure happiness. It also means the rabbit is feeling safe, playful and joyous.

Boop

Boops are when a rabbit gently presses their nose against your finger, or an object.

It is a natural thing for rabbits to do, because they can’t see close up in front of their face, so they use their nose as a third eye. Some rabbits do boops more often than others, but all bunnies can be taught to boop.

Ear Shake

Rabbits shake their heads and ears to display happiness. Sometimes they are telling you to go away, or they are itchy. You will be able to tell the difference quite easily.

Happy ear shakes are usually with zoomies, binkies and jumps. It’s just another happy behaviour in the pile of happy-bunny behaviours.

If the bunny is being defiant, they will give a tail flick, flap their ears and run away from you. Leave your bunny alone if that’s the case.

An itchy bunny is really cute. They flop their ears side to side, they then sit down, tilt their head and scratch it with their back foot, then of course, they lick their toenails. Bunnies must have clean feet.

Licking

Some rabbits are lickers, others aren’t. Some rabbits will lick everything, some will lick certain things, others won’t lick anything.

When a rabbit grooms themselves they are licking their body. When they groom another rabbit they are licking that other rabbit.

Some rabbits will lick people to show they love you and you deserve to be groomed. Feel privileged if your bunny licks you.

Purring

Bunnies purr quietly by gently grinding their molars side to side to express their enjoyment of being patted or cuddled.

They grind their teeth, usually 3 times, then stop for a while, then repeat. You can answer their purring by clicking your molars together three times.

Honking

Intact males honk (also called oinking) to communicate their desire to mate.

A quiet eh eh sound that rabbits make to communicate with each other and even their human. Some people think that honking sounds like a balloon being rubbed.

Butt Twitch

Some rabbits twitch their butt when they are eating something nice. Sometimes it can be so fast that it looks like the butt is vibrating. It is not a common trait, but it does happen.

This is also known as twerking.

Zoom

This is when rabbits run around really fast to expend energy. They may even throw in binkies for free.

After a zoomy, they will collapse and sleep for a while, then get up and do it again.

Rabbits also like being cheered on when they zoom around. They tend to go faster and throw in more binkies. If you laugh and have fun while they are zooming, they will join in.

Remember that zooming and binkies use up a lot of energy and the bunny may tire out quickly.

Digging

Female rabbits make the burrows, which means they dig. It is part of their genetics. If you have a diggy-diggy bunny, you have to figure out what objects you are happy for them to dig in. Maybe a sand box, or a box full of packing brown paper, or even a ball pit.

Male bunnies can dig, but they usually choose not to.

Yoga

Rabbits love stretching their backs. After being hunchy for most of the day, they stretch every muscle in their body as far as they can pushing forward, and then pulling backward. Their arms are stretched as far as they can, and when they push backwards their feet are usually on tip-toes.

Yawn

A bunny yawning is really cute. But they yawn really quickly; it only lasts for about 2-3 seconds.

They yawn to show excitement, like a dog, they yawn to show they have just woken up, they yawn to show they have just finished a good stretch and they yawn because they need to stretch their jaw and thorax (chest) muscles.

Nipping

Nipping is a light nibble. It is not an aggressive behaviour, it is part of the grooming ritual. It doesn’t hurt, all you’ll feel is a slight pressure of their teeth wrapped around your skin. Sometimes they accidentally nip a more tender spot and it hurts a little more.

If you don’t want your rabbit to nip you, start squeaking or saying “ouch” in a high-pitched voice each time they do it (but not near their ears). They will eventually decide to not do it because you squeak each time they do it.

Poop Flick

Some rabbits flick their poops around as a decoration, but mostly it is because their poops stick to their feet and when they flick them, the poops go flying.

This can happen if the rabbit has changed pens, or you have moved house. They are learning where everything is, and the distances between things.

Rabbits are generally clean creatures, and if they are poop flicking, they are telling you that something is not suitable. You have to figure out what it is. It may be something as simple as the litter box is not to its liking, or it might be as complex as a digestion problem.

Boxing

This is when a rabbit stands up on its back legs and slaps its paws against something. Their ears will be up, and they will bounce on their back toes. Domestic rabbits usually do it in play, like hitting away a cleaning brush.

Rabbits also box when they are in a fight to protect themselves, if that is the case, they will also growl.

Generally classed as an aggressive behaviour, boxing is usually performed by a stubborn rabbit who doesn’t want to budge.

Fighting rabbits are also known to do kung-fu. But they are usually wild hares that are fighting of a rival male.

Usually when domestic rabbits do it, it is in play. But your reaction to it trains them to whether they need repeat the behaviour to get attention, to continue using it in play, or to not do it at all. Rabbits never continue a behaviour like this unless you train them to do it: you may have laughed at them in the start, you may have pushed them away, you may have patted them in response to them doing it. All of these reactions teach the rabbit to continue doing that action. But, it’s never too late to re-train yourself and your rabbit.

Chinning

This is where a rabbit rubs their chin’s scent glands on objects.

Old fashioned beliefs say that it was to mark their territory, but new studies show it is a message service, like dogs peeing on a fire hydrant. The rabbit is leaving a message saying “I was here” or “I like this thing a lot”.

It is a normal and natural rabbit behaviour that is more prominent in male rabbits, although female rabbits will do it too.

Some rabbits chin often, others less so. You’ll find that rabbits chin a lot more if there are other pets in the household, like cats or more rabbits. Cats will leave scent messages everywhere and the rabbit has to reply. While having more rabbits in the household means there is a constant chat service going on.

Tossing and Playing

Rabbits love throwing and tossing items around. Items like cardboard, stacking cups, wrapping paper and other it up in its mouth, throw its head back and throw the item around.

Some rabbits get all into tossing and throw their head back, stand up as high as they can on their back feet and toss the item as far as they can, then run after it and repeat.

Scientists have observed rabbits of all ages do this behaviour in the wild with sticks, leaves and trashy paper. They have concluded that it is a play behaviour. One scientist reported seeing several rabbits playing with the same object at the same time, they said “it appeared to be like a team sport”.

Nudge

Nudges are gentle and sweet. It is when your bunny presses their forehead against you. It means they want a pat or a massage.

A rabbits favourite pass time is being patted on their foreheads, ears, cheeks, and backs. They aren’t too fond of a chin scratch, like cats.

Rabbits use nudging to get groomed by another rabbit. They push their head against or beneath another rabbit so that it starts grooming. Historically, people believed this to be dominance and submission, but it’s not, that belief has changed. People now believe it to be the rabbit saying “I need love, please, and you’re the closest thing,” or “my head needs licks.”

Chewing

Rabbits need to chew on fibrous grasses and hays. If they aren’t getting enough fibre in their diet, they will take to chewing other things like walls, floors and furnishings. People get very frustrated with rabbits chewing everything, but those people should look at their rabbits diet and give them more fresh grassy-fibre.

Rabbits also get bored, especially if they are doing the same thing in the same room every day. They need stimulation and change. A rabbit who doesn’t chew is a rabbit who isn’t bored.

Unfortunately, a rabbit who gets stimulated from chewing, like the walls or floor, gets a chemical increase in their brain and they end up wanting that fix.

Circling

Rabbits need to chew on fibrous grasses and hays. If they aren’t getting enough fibre in their diet, they will take to chewing other things like walls, floors and furnishings. People get very frustrated with rabbits chewing everything, but those people should look at their rabbits diet and give them more fresh grassy-fibre.

Rabbits also get bored, especially if they are doing the same thing in the same room every day. They need stimulation and change. A rabbit who doesn’t chew is a rabbit who isn’t bored.

Unfortunately, a rabbit who gets stimulated from chewing, like the walls or floor, gets a chemical increase in their brain and they end up wanting that fix.

Alert

When your rabbit’s ears are erect and they look like large satellite dishes and are both pointing in one direction, it means your rabbit is listening to a sound that they are unsure of.

The rabbit may be initially sitting on all four feet when they hear the sound and they may rise onto their back legs with arms hanging to get a better perception of where the sound is coming from, and whether they need to be scared of it.

They hear low bass sounds, all the way up to high pitched sounds, in a wider range than cats and dogs. If it is a strange sound that they have never heard before they try to sense what it is.

Cautious or Curious

A cautious rabbit will slowly move around with their ears forward and their tails down. Often, they will pause to look at and listen to the object. They may even stretch forward with their feet staying in the same place. If that’s the case, they can easily dart away.

Curious behaviour is very similar to the cautious behaviour, the only difference is when the rabbit is in the stretched forward position, they may creep forward and sniff at the object.

Swat

If a rabbit lunges at you and slaps you with its hands, it is feeling very grumpy and is protecting itself. This usually occurs when there is no escape and they are scared and they are giving you a warning to go away.

It’s ears will be back and its tail will be up.

Usually there are growls and maybe a bite included.

Scared

Scared rabbits will be small, tight and fast. Their ears will be down on their backs, their tails will be down and their eyes will be bulgy. They will not want to take up much physical space, so they become minimal.

Sniffing

Rabbits use their nose as an eye on the front of their face. Because of their eye position in their skull, they can see really well out the sides, and in the distance in front of them, but they have a blind spot directly in front of their faces. Their nose fills that blind spot and acts as another eye.

They sense smells with their nose, and electromagnetic signals through their vibrissa (whiskers). You will notice that a rabbits vibrissa are shorter towards its nose, that’s because olfactory senses take over.

Flatten

Rabbits flatten off when they are scared. They become as minimal as they can and they want to sink into the ground and disappear. Their ears will be flat against their back and their tail will be down. Their body will be tense and their paws will be dug into the ground so they are ready to run.

Thump

Thumps are when a rabbit slams one (or both) of it’s back feet down with emphasis. It is a warning to everything around that there is suspicious movement, danger or a sound that was startling.

It can also mean that the rabbit doesn’t want to do what you want it to. They might run away and thump to let you know that they are disgusted at you for wanting to do something with it.

Hard Nudge

If your rabbit nudges you like a mini-headbutt, it is telling you that you are in its way, so move human! Now!

Some rabbits are polite and wait for you to move, while others will force their way past you. They may even nip you to get their point across.

Cold Shoulder

Rabbits are great at showing discontent with your stupid human behaviours. If you offend your rabbit it will turn away from you and refuse to acknowledge your presence. It hurts, it really does.

Offense can be taken when bunnies are forced to do something they don’t want to, like take medicine or trim their nails.

They will refuse to accept treats, pats or even dismiss you completely. Eventually they will forgive you, all you need to do is give them space for a while and then change the subject, like give them a new toy, or put music on.

Side Eye

The side-eye is when the rabbit turns it’s back on you and looks at you while it is facing away from you. You can see that it is looking at you over it’s hunchy back.

Evil Eye

Rabbits are great at giving an evil stare. They turn away from you and look at you out of one eye. It is easy to think that they are throwing daggers at you, or plotting your demise.

They do this when you have seriously offended them and they want nothing more to do with you… until you beg and grovel for their forgiveness – and you will. Give the rabbit space for a while, 5-10 minutes, then give it food, or a toy. You need to be able to pat the bunny again without it turning away from you, only then you are 50% forgiven. To get the last 50% you have to cuddle the bunny and rest your forehead against its. That is the bunny way to apologise. You may even need to click your molars together to purr.

Bum-in-the-face

Rabbits have attitudes, and when they don’t want to do what you want, they will let you know. Bum-in-the-face is a rude gesture that is saying “don’t talk to me”.

Flick-off

This is a rabbit-only behaviour. They flick their back feet at you to show they are totally pissed off. It may happen when you put them down after trimming their nails, and they kick dirt at you and give you the cold shoulder. After all, it is your fault that you trimmed their nails.

Grunt

Grunts are to let everyone around to “move out of the way and leave me alone”.

People find it hard to tell the difference between a grunt and a honk. Usually a grunt is followed by a nip or a chase. It means your bunny isn’t playing around and is sick of what is going on. It just needs time out.

Hiss

It is rare to hear a rabbit hiss, but they will of they are super-super angry or beyond scared. It is not a sound that you want to hear, because it means your rabbit is stressing at a level that it’s little heart may not be able to cope with.

Run Away

Rabbits can be quite rude. If they don’t want to do what you want, they might run away at high speed. This is not because they are scared of you, but because they want to stay far away from you and your ulterior motives.

They also run away at high speed if they get scared from a noise or a strange shadow overhead.

Biting

Rabbits only bite when they are very anxious. They generally are the type of animal to run away rather than fight. But when you press the right buttons for long enough, the rabbit’s only choice may be to bite.

If your rabbit bites you, it’s something you’re doing to it that it doesn’t like. It may even be a trigger or memory that happened in the bunny’s past that makes it bite.

Chattering

A rabbit in pain will chatter their teeth, very similar to how we do it when we are cold. This means that they are in a lot of pain.

Sometimes chattering happens after a bunny has been neutered.

Hunched

A hunched rabbit is not good. It is in pain. It looks like it is in a loaf, but their front will be raised up a little on their front paws. They don’t want to press their body against the ground.

Serious problems will ensue if their eyes are squinty, and sunken in. This means that their gut is clamping up and they are in acute pain.

You can try to pick the rabbit up. Don’t squeeze it’s body! If you’re worried about picking it up, wrap a blanket around it and pick it up that way.

Put your ear to its tummy to listen to gut movements. They might be quiet, so you will need a quiet room to listen. If you hear movements, your bunny will need a tummy massage. You want to watch it closely to see if it eats and poops. If you don’t hear movements, and it’s not eating or pooping, it’s an immediate vet visit to get GI stasis medication.

Heels Up

This is a tummy-ache pose. The rabbit looks like it is laying long, with is back feet tucked under its body, but it’s heels are up in the air holding their rump up. This pushes their tummy on the ground.

This usually means your rabbit has gas, or has eaten too much sugar and has bad diarrhoea pains. The best way to help your rabbit is to make sure it only eats hay for a couple of days, and keep an eye on it to see if it is eating, drinking and pooping.

If it gets worse, the rabbit will sit in a hunched position.

Nesting

Nesting is when a intact female (not desexed) is preparing for babies. She will gather bedding and start making a nest for the arrival of the babies. She will pull fur from her dewlap, chest and forelegs to make the nest soft.

Sometimes the rabbit is really pregnant, other times they have a false pregnancy and the female rabbit will think she is having babies. This can last as long as three weeks before she realises she isn’t having babies.

This is one important reason why you must get your rabbit spayed.

Mounting

Not all rabbits mount each other after being desexed.

Some people believe that mounting is a dominance behaviour. It isn’t. New studies have concluded that it is a chemical imbalance in the rabbits brain after being desexed. Hormones are not depleting fast enough and are still being produced forcing the rabbit to display those behaviours, even years later.

If your rabbits mount each other, stop the activity immediately and separate them for a couple of hours. You have to take control of limiting the production of the chemical in the brain. The more the rabbits don’t produce those chemicals in their brain, the less likely they will mount.

You will be able to predict when the activity is about to begin, and you will need to step in and separate them.

Over time, the more you do this, the mounting will decrease substantially.

Don’t get fooled into believing it is about dominance, it’s actually a health issue, and it definitely is not funny or for entertainment.

Spraying

Male rabbits spray when they have not been desexed. Some people think its due to territory, but new studies suggest it is because they want to mate and they sense a female is on heat near them.

Consider spraying like graffiti on the wall advertising that they want a relationship.

Males spray little bits at a time, and usually on a vertical surface like a wall. That is to make sure his scent is everywhere and the females learn to appreciate it.

Some intact females also spray. That is to show they are on heat and they are ready for a male to pay them a visit. If there isn’t a male nearby, they are advertising their single status.