Rabbits can’t talk, so when it comes to communication, you may be concerned that you won’t be able to understand what your rabbit is trying to tell you. If you own several rabbits, you may wonder how they communicate with one another; short of having some secret bunny code, it would appear that rabbits don’t communicate at all. Until you look closer.
Rabbits mainly communicate using body language, however, rabbits also have a variety of vocal cues that they can also use to communicate.
As a bunny parent, you will likely want to get to know your pet as well as possible. Forming a bond becomes a lot easier when you can understand what your bunny is trying to tell you.
How Do Rabbits Communicate?
One of the most amazing things about rabbits is how intelligent they are. If you aren’t familiar with bunnies, then you could be forgiven for thinking that they weren’t very intelligent and merely spend their days hopping aimlessly around.
But the opposite is true. These are inquisitive, playful, and loving animals that have a lot going on upstairs. For this reason, they need effective ways to communicate and they do this mostly in the form of body language. Observing your rabbit will give you many clues to how he is feeling and whether he is trying to tell you something.
However, as well as body language, a rabbit will sometimes use vocalizations to communicate. To the untrained ear, these may sound like nothing more than meaningless grunts, but once you learn to speak bun, they will sound much clearer.
- If your rabbit makes gentle honking noises then this is a sign of sexual interest. They do this when trying to attract a mate but when they live alone, a bunny may circle its owner’s legs and make this sound. It is a good idea to have them neutered at this point.
- When a bunny is feeling angry or stressed, it may communicate this through a variety of sounds. Most commonly, you will hear hissing, snorting, or growling. These are normally warnings and if needs be, the rabbit will follow them up with a bite.
- If a rabbit is feeling mildly annoyed it may make a whimpering sound.
- One of the more severe sounds that your rabbit may make is a scream. This can be very alarming for an owner but it is important to remain calm and reassure your pet. Normally, bunnies will make this sound when they are in pain, but if they have not been visibly injured, there could be an internal problem that should be addressed by your vet.
As we have discussed, rabbits will commonly use their body language to let others know how they are feeling. Understanding vocal cues is important but you should also be aware of how your rabbit may act too.
- When a rabbit wants you to back away and leave them alone, they will lunge. Their tail and head will be raised but the ears will be back as they make a quick move in your direction.
- If your rabbit is lying flat on its belly as close to the ground as possible, this is because he is scared. Rabbits are prey animals and will take this pose to try and blend in and look as inconspicuous as possible.
- Rabbits may also lie flat when they are feeling chilled out. However, in this instance, they will normally flop onto their side. If you aren’t familiar with this body language expression, you might think that they have passed out or are ill, but this is just a rabbit’s way of saying ‘I’m relaxed.’
- When a rabbit wants to mark its territory it may do so by rubbing the area with its chin. There are scent glands located in this part of the body and these scents are used among rabbits to demonstrate who owns what.
- Rabbits may grind their teeth but this can have two meanings. If the grinding is gentle and resembles a purring sound, then this means that they are relaxed. Conversely, if it is loud and urgent, this could be a sign that your rabbit is in pain.
Do Rabbits Understand Human Language?
Rabbits can understand human language but not in the capacity that we would hope. It is entirely possible to train a rabbit to learn its name and various other simple commands. However, it is important to keep in mind that a rabbit doesn’t necessarily know the meaning of these words but rather associates the sound with a specific action.
How Do You Know If A Rabbit Is Happy?
There are many ways that a rabbit will let you know if it is happy. We have discussed that a relaxed rabbit may flop onto its side and that is always a sign that it is feeling content. However, there may be other things that your rabbit does to let you know that it is feeling on top of the world.
The binky is a kind of jump that a happy or excited rabbit might do. A lot of rabbits will do this when they see their owners after being left alone for a period of time. They will jump high in the air and twist their bodies. It can look a little shocking the first time but rest assured, this is a good thing.
Rabbits also love to play and when they are happy and ready for some fun, they will let you know. They normally do this by circling your feet quickly. This is their way of saying ‘let’s play.’ However, do be mindful of the honking noises we discussed earlier. If the circling is accompanied by these sounds, that could have a different meaning.
How Do Rabbits Show Affection?
Rabbits are highly social creatures and form bonds with other bunnies and with their owners. Just like you and I, a rabbit will want to let others know that it loves them. Rabbits will show affection to one another and to their owners.
One of the most common ways of doing this is licking. A rabbit will groom another rabbit to show affection and this is something that they extend to their humans if the bond is strong.
How Do Rabbits Communicate With Each Other?
In the wild, rabbits live in closely-knit groups and the ways that they communicate with one another are nothing if not creative.
One of the most common ways that rabbits will speak to other buns is to thump. This is when they use their large, flat back feet to thump on the ground to warn other rabbits of impending danger. They do this because rabbits often live underground and when a thump comes from the surface, the sound will echo into the warren.
Another way that rabbits will let others know of a potential threat is to sit upright with their ears pricked. This is not only their way of listening and staying alert but other bunnies in the area will know to be on their guard too.
When bunnies live together, even if they are bonded, there may be times that they want some space. In this case, a rabbit may grunt at his housemate to let him know this. If this sound resembles more of a honking noise, the rabbits may be looking to mate.
