I've heard this before, but I forgot what it meant. Sometimes in the male's cage he stomps his back feet down hard. Or when he's in his playpen, he does it on the rug too. Strange. Does anyone know why?
2006-12-03 14:54:37 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
My rabbits do this on several occasions.
1. When my german shepard mix wants to play and is pestering them. I think he does just to see if one will escape, and when one of them does escape, he'll literally sit on it and clean it like it's a puppy. I've found him 'nesting' with several bunnies this past summer, and the poor things were soaked with doggy slobber, but otherwise unharmed.
2. At feeding time, the first bunny on the round starts the thump, and it goes down to the last pens before I get far.
3. They will do the thump thing when my neighbors cats/dogs are about, and when some opossum, raccoon, or other stray wild animal is about.
4. When I am cleaning my ferrets pen, the ferrets are placed in an escape proof pen and the first few rabbits that can see them send up the warning to the others. They absolutely hate the ferrets.
2006-12-03 16:29:31 · answer #1 · answered by santana84_02 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a way that bunnies try to frighten away something or someone they perceive as a threat. If one is doing this when you are around it be careful, go slow, talk to him or her in a soft reassuring voice. It may take some time to earn the rabbits trust. Most of all be aware that bunnies can back up the stomping with bites and scratches.
On the other hand maybe he is just feeling frisky.
2006-12-03 15:12:43 · answer #2 · answered by D. W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the wild rabbits would do this to warn the others in the den below ground that there is a predator. They are just giving you a warning that they are uneasy in that situation.
2006-12-04 05:19:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi!
We have two rex rabbits. They seem to do this when they are really upset about something. Like when you want to pick them up and they want to run around the yard they will "hide" and "thump". They growl too! But ours never bite. They are very sweet.
2006-12-03 15:02:08 · answer #4 · answered by Susan Gould 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they do it as a warning to other rabbits when startled. Sometimes it's a sign of aggression or territoriality; he's displaying bravado before a perceived enemy.
2006-12-03 14:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by Gallifrey's Gone 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means the rabbit is scared or thinks something dangerous is near.
2006-12-03 15:14:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a warning to other rabbits of some sort of present danger.
2006-12-03 14:57:44 · answer #7 · answered by Andastra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their being threatened ,standing their territory, its a warning signal
2006-12-03 15:24:20 · answer #8 · answered by blue2602001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aww! thats so cute... reminds me of Thumper in the Bambi movie... he thumped his feet when he kissed the girl bunny... ^_^
2006-12-03 14:57:12 · answer #9 · answered by Mintee 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's trying to spook you off...
2006-12-03 22:19:48 · answer #10 · answered by Tracy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋