Odd things rabbits do and what they mean

What is this about?

This is a guide that describes signals rabbits use to communicate.

This can indicate that a rabbit is very interested in something in front of him.

You can contribute to this topic using the comment box at the bottom of this page if there is or there are things you have seen your rabbit do which is not captured here. 

Extreme Fright:

This is when a bunny starts running madly, hitting anything that stands on its way. The bunny completely loses control (its senses), runs and jumps with high speed and energy, and after a while starts stretching and gasping for air as if it is going to die. The first case happened during a heavy rainfall - suddenly the bunny started acting. In the second case there was no rain, I was just about to start feeding them when a bunny started jumping up and down from one end of its hutch to the other colliding with the four sides of the hutch. I had to pick the bunny up, hold it with both hands till it calmed down and I dropped it back. I still cannot figure out what that is.

Loud Sniffing: 

Several people have reported loud sniffing, performed as one big inhalation through the nose, as a signal of anger or annoyance. I have usually observed it without any other indications of anger, though I suspect that it is just a rabbit clearing its nose. 

Flattening:

Flattening is described as the rabbit lowering itself to the ground with ears pressed tightly against the head, and is a sign of fear or submission. 

Binkying:

Rabbit leaps in the air, twists and kicks legs out - an expression of happiness. 

Bunny flopping:

Rabbit rolls on side or back when very content and secure. 

Booping: 

Rabbit goes long and low to the floor and move his ear or head up and down slowly, while approaching something. This indicates that the rabbit is interested in what is before it, but is not entirely sure about it so it is being cautious. 

Scratching at the ground:

A very common signal in unneutered males, for instance, is scratching at the ground like a bull getting ready to charge, as a way to indicate aggression and threat. Although some people enjoy the aggressiveness and intensity that is common in unneutered rabbits, these are not usually attributes that help a rabbit get along happily in a human household. 

No appetite (less or no activity):

This could indicate that the bunny is sick (probably suffering from intestinal infections like coccidiosis, bloat, enteritis, diarrhea, etc.

Sneezing, coughing:

There is a variety of coughs, sneezes, pneumonia, causing sudden deaths, which are difficult to distinguish for a non-expert. 

Nudging:

Rabbit nudges your hand or foot to request food or attention. 

Chinning:

Rabbit rubs underside of its chin on objects to mark its territory or claim ownership of those objects. 

Circling, Mounting and Honking:

Rabbit mounts or circles feet / object / other rabbit and honks (grunts) - rabbit wants to mate.  De-sexed rabbits may honk and circle to request food / attention. 

Waving ears and twitching nose:

When the animal is at ease, the ears lie quietly along its back. At the slightest sound, its ears stand upright, waving backward and forward as they try to locate the danger. The nose too is sensitive. As the animal tries to get a scent, it twitches the nostrils and moves the head up and down in a worried manner. 

Feet Stamping:

When a rabbit is frightened it stamps the ground with a hind foot, perhaps to warn other rabbits. Probably they can feel the vibrations or hear the thumping. 

Running and jumping over:

This is generally, what hormonal or recently spayed girls do. It is a way of flirting with the other rabbit to make them chase them (which is a key part to the mating process and getting the lady 'in the mood'). This can confuse the other bunny, and can lead to a situation that you need to diffuse.