why does a rabbits nose wiggle?

Question

If it's smelling why does it go constantly?

Answer 1

rabbits are prey animals who must be constantly aware of their surroundings. They have a keen sense of smell, but to enhance it, they briefly close their nose (touching the fleshy parts together) and reopen it, this re moistens the fleshy inner rim of the nose and allows scents to stick to the flesh to be decoded by the rabbit.... it is the same phenomenon when dogs lick their nose...they are wetting it so the aromatic particles in the air stick to the sensory cells in the nose and they can smell even better.

When rabbits are sick, or are sleeping, their noses do take a break from the wiggling behavior, but when they are well and awake they must constantly be on guard for predators, food, etc.

-RVT
(Registered Veterinary Technician and rabbit owner)

Answer 2

im guessing rabbits always smell because maybe they could smell a predator if it was close.

Answer 3

They do wiggle at that, they sniff the air for foods, mates, weather, danger or calmness.

Answer 4

They have to otherwise we wouldnt stare at them to watch it wiggle.... its so cute :3

Answer 5

Rabbits breathe through their noses.

Chalice

Answer 6

it moves air around the smell detectors

Answer 7

Uhm, I'm guessing it's because it's breathing and sniffing.

Answer 8

their all wrong its because its breathing and smelling things all the time. besides it so small i mean if you were that small and shaking your s.h.i.t all at once, don't you think yours would be moving too???

Answer 9

Because it doesn't have hips.