When I first became a rabbit owner, I was surprised by many things, not least of which was their sleep habits. My rabbit seemed perpetually active, appearing to hardly sleep at all, which left me wondering: do rabbits really sleep? In this post, we delve into the intriguing world of rabbit sleep patterns, shedding light on just how much sleep your furry friend actually needs.
Scientific studies have shown that adult rabbits will sleep for between 8 and 11.4 hours per day. While humans usually sleep for several hours in one go rabbits sleep patterns are very different and they instead take several shorter naps per day.
Of course, sleep is essential for most living things, although it can look different for some creatures. If you’re curious to know more about your rabbit’s sleeping habits, there is a lot to discover.
Rabbits are Crepuscular
One of the most interesting things about rabbits and something that not many people are aware of is that they are crepuscular.
This means that they do not sleep straight through the night (diurnal), nor do they sleep right through the day (nocturnal), instead they are most active at dusk and dawn.
If you go to a countryside location just as the sun rises and just as it is about to set, you will see hoards of rabbits going about their business.
As a pet owner, particularly if you have house rabbits, you have probably noticed that your rabbit seems a lot more active at either end of the day.
However, in between these times, rabbits can clock up a considerable amount of slumber.
One of the reasons why this often goes unnoticed is that as prey animals, rabbits are very aware of their surroundings, even when they are asleep.
If you ever try to sneak up on a sleeping rabbit you’ll likely find that you don’t get anywhere near before getting noticed!
Another reason that you may not have noticed your rabbit sleeping is that they will often find a private corner of the house to curl up in.
Often this will be somewhere dark and quiet that will instinctively remind them of a safe underground burrow.
Studies on Rabbit Sleep Duration
Studies have shown that some rabbits have been known to sleep for over eleven hours in a single day (link to National Library of Medicine Study) whereas others take around eight hours.
This is pretty similar to a human but unlike us, they will take their sleep at different points.
According to this research, rabbits have 3 different types of sleep, namely, drowsy sleep, slow-wave sleep, and paradoxical sleep which is similar to REM sleep in humans.
What is interesting is that paradoxical sleep, just like our REM sleep is the time when dreams occur so it is very likely that your pet will have an active sleep imagination (aka dreams!).
Do Rabbits Dark to Sleep?
Rabbits are pretty good at listening to their bodies and if they are tired, they will go to sleep. One of the advantages of being a crepuscular animal is that there doesn’t need to be a set sleep routine; if the rabbit is feeling particularly energetic, he will play.
However, for the most part, rabbits will need a mixture of dark and light. This is because they judge seasons this way. When it gets colder and darker, they will grow a thicker coat. Conversely, when it is lighter and sunnier, they will shed their fur.
Your rabbit certainly does not need it to be dark in order to go to sleep. Since he will sleep when his body tells him that he should, he will often be tired enough to flop down and doze off quickly, light won’t be an issue for him.
That being said, bunnies may like to be somewhere safe and secure when they are sleeping and in the wild, this would be their burrow.
However, in captivity, when a burrow isn’t available you might find your pet hidden behind a sofa, in the back of the TV cabinet, or, as was the case with my rabbit, underneath a bed!
Do Rabbits Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
There are a lot of physiological aspects of rabbits that are truly fascinating. One particular ability is being able to sleep with their eyes open, and sometimes, this is exactly what they will do.
Wild rabbits are more likely to sleep with their eyes open as this is their way of making sure that they are able to perceive a threat. Naturally, this is due to the fact that rabbits are prey for many different predators.
Although in captivity, the threat level is significantly reduced, a rabbit may still sleep with the eyes open or partially open, particularly if it is not relaxed around you.
Once you have established a strong bond with the pet, it will be less apprehensive about falling asleep in your company.
When they are sleeping with their eyes open, rabbits have a nictitating membrane which they can blink in order to keep the eyes from drying out.
Can I Give My Rabbits A Blanket?
There is no reason why you shouldn’t give your rabbit a blanket or an old towel to snuggle up to. Many domesticated rabbits love to have these in their cage.
If the temperature drops, rabbits are able to grow a thicker coat but there is nothing stopping you from providing extra warmth with a blanket.
It is important to keep in mind that these should never be blankets that are threadbare as their paws may get stuck.
Furthermore, you should keep an eye on any blanket to ensure that the rabbit is not chewing it excessively as this may result in blockages of the rabbit’s gastrointestinal system.
Should You Cover A Rabbit Cage At Night?
A lot of owners are tempted to cover their rabbit cage when they go to bed, but it is important to keep in mind that your rabbit may still be active during the night.
One of the main reasons that people do this is to keep the rabbit warm, but rabbits’ coats already do a pretty good job of this.
Additionally, some owners may take comfort in covering their rabbit’s cage as they believe that it will prevent the rabbit from becoming spooked if a fox or other predator makes an appearance.
For this reason, many outdoor cages may benefit from being covered however you should ensure that you leave enough of a gap to allow air to circulate.
With all of that in mind, we should point out that it is not necessary to cover the cage and if you decide not to, your rabbit will suffer no ill effects.
For house rabbits, we’ve personally noticed that their sleeping patterns can take a bit of getting used to. I could not count how many nights I’ve been woken up by a rabbit thumping its feet loudly or two of them chasing each other around the house.
For this reason, if you have a house rabbit that is usually free to roam and you are a light sleeper, you may consider keeping it in a cage or enclosure while you are asleep.
Wrap Up
The great thing about rabbits is that unlike some popular pets (e.g. hamsters) they always seem to be ready to go whenever you want to play.
Although it seems like a rabbit may not be getting enough sleep, you can rest assured that it is getting a lot more than it appears.
Further Reading
A typical daily routine for rabbits bunnyhugga.com
How Do Rabbits Sleep? omlet.co.uk
Rabbit Sleeping Patterns and Daily Routine rabbits.life
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rabbits dream while they sleep?
Similar to humans, rabbits experience REM sleep where they may have dreams.
How can you tell if your rabbit is sleeping?
Rabbits may sleep with their eyes open, but their noses stop wiggling and their bodies relax when asleep.
Can changes in my rabbit’s sleep pattern indicate a health problem?
Changes in a rabbit’s sleep patterns can indicate stress, illness, or discomfort. Consult a vet if you notice drastic shifts.
Is it okay to wake a sleeping rabbit?
It’s best to let sleeping rabbits lie. Waking them up suddenly can cause stress and anxiety.
Can a rabbit’s sleep be disturbed by noise or light?
Loud noises and sudden changes in light can startle rabbits and disrupt their sleep. Create a calm, stable environment for your rabbit.
