Why do bunnies go into a "trance" when you place them on their backs? I've seen bunnies turn into zombies for long periods of time when they're flipped over and have their legs elevated, what causes this to happen? Is it a defense mechanism, a brain function, etc.? I just don't get it :)
2007-08-05 19:36:44 · 6 answers · asked by mkl7713 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
too much iron in the diet~?
2007-08-09 14:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by R. Gyle 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a defense! Rabbits, like many nocturnal creatures, will play dead if they feel threatened. The best one is how to catch a wild rabbit. You just walk up a country lane, late at night and shine a torch ahead of you. When the torch light hits a rabbit, the rabbit will go into defense mode and freeze. You can then either walk to it and grab it by the ears or if your not feeling brave, shoot it. It's the defense mode that kills many of them. Every night, tens of thousands of rabbits will be killed around the world. It's the vehicle headlights that do it. As the light hits the rabbit, the rabbit freezes in the middle of the road and gets flattened. So, the irony of it is by pretending to be dead they are likely to be killed LOL
2007-08-06 02:52:31 · answer #2 · answered by kendavi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tonic immobility
Tonic immobility also can be somewhat effective on anole lizards and a loose study was done with tonic immobility with the rabbit. Both were inconsistent examples of tonic immobility.
Tonic immobility has also been used to describe the paralysis which often immobilizes animals such as rodents or birds when they feel threatened by a predator. It can be argued that tonic immobility plays a role in survival if it helps a hunted animal to blend in with its surroundings by remaining as motionless as an inanimate object. This tonic state is common with invertebrates as well.
Inducing tonic immobility in common animals requires, in some cases, extreme treatment such as electric shock along with other elements that produce stress.
2007-08-06 02:51:57 · answer #3 · answered by {{vP}} 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is a brain thing. You can also accomplish this by rubbing their knees gently and rhythmically
2007-08-06 02:45:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
youre lying! do they really do that?
ive never had a rabbit before
2007-08-06 09:01:49 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
idk but that's super cool how bunnies do that lol :]
2007-08-06 03:05:00 · answer #6 · answered by mika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋