You may also see a few tail flicks if you are lucky and watching closely. This is when bunnies move their tails side to side in a quick motion. It is flirting behavior and can be seen at some point in most bondings.
FLOPS, BINKIES, and TAIL FLICKS: these are all signs of happy, joyful rabbits. Tail flicks can be the hardest to see but they are the equivalent of the human female hair toss – a little happy flirty move that charms.
Chasing is one of those behaviors. One rabbit will chase the other to claim dominance during the bonding process. This is expected behavior that should not be discouraged. If a chase goes on for longer than 30 seconds, interrupt the rabbits, so it does not turn into a fight.
It is normal for rabbits, neutered and not, to mount and hump other rabbits. There is a point where mounting should be stopped, though, as it may lead to fights. Rabbits mount other rabbits to communicate. Largely, this communication is centered on rabbits determining a social hierarchy.
Circling is part of a rabbit's courting behavior and is sometimes accompanied by a soft honking or oinking. Circling can also be a way to ask for food or attention from human companions.
Rabbits explore their environment by sniffing and nudging. It may be a greeting or their first line of investigation. But nudging can also indicate a level of bossiness.
How do you tell if my rabbits are fighting or playing? If your rabbits are fighting, then they will growling and hissing at each other. If they are playing, they will be making a squeaking sound. You can also try to separate them and see if they continue to play.
The easiest way to tell which one of your rabbits is dominant is to watch their grooming. A dominant rabbit will groom the other rabbits far less and for shorter periods of time than the other animals. A dominant rabbit will often thrust their heads towards the other rabbits.
Many rabbits enjoy being kissed on the top of the head. Your rabbit will not kiss you back, but will return your affection in other ways. Licking is a key sign of affection from rabbits. You can teach a bonded rabbit to 'kiss' you with training.
Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it's a sign of affection as you'll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.
When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin).
Rabbits rarely fall in love at first sight, but indifference is a good first sign of a potential pairing. Some rabbits will groom, other rabbits will present their heads to be groomed. Some rabbits lean into the other rabbit which is a very good sign.
5. Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.
Rabbits are very social creatures that form strong bonds. As such, rabbits may form a strong attachment with its primary caregiver, which can be interpreted as the rabbit having a favorite person.
Rabbits probably do not have emotions the way humans do. However, rabbits do show physiological and behavioral signs that they are capable of simple emotions, such as happiness, fear, sadness, and anger.
It is common for rabbits to be offended and hold grudges against people. The most common sign that a rabbit is upset is when they give you the cold shoulder, ignoring you and refusing to take any treats. Rabbits holding a grudge will also flick their feet and people and urinate in places they normally wouldn't.
A rabbit who is angry will quickly twitch their tail up and down. Beware the rabbit holding their tail up, it is frequently followed by spraying. Rabbits who are not spayed and neutered will spread their scent by spraying everything in sight. They may also do this when they are upset or simply dislike a person.
Most rabbits will adore being massaged at the base of the ears and along the neck. This is a great petting spot, and a good place to start easing your rabbit into ear touching. Over numerous petting sessions, gradually begin touching its ears with gentle passes of your hand.
It's literally a bunny's happy dance and sometimes will occur when a rabbit runs laps around the room – a behavior that many call “zoomies.” When rabbits display these behaviors, they're showing us that they are full of energy, happy and excited!
Licking and grooming is a natural rabbit behavior, and a common sign of affection. Rabbits will often lick and groom one another when they feel safe and comfortable. Happy rabbits may try to lick you to show their affection. This is one of many ways that rabbits express feeling happy or safe.
Once your rabbits are showing signs that they're becoming best friends – like sniffing, grooming and nuzzling each other – they're ready to move in together. Put them together in the home they'll share. That might be a bunny-proofed room, or an outdoor run and enclosure.
Grooming, bonding, and hierarchy. Rabbits are very social creatures and will groom each other to bond and show affection. Rabbits also have a strict hierarchy, and dominant members will lick the eyes and ears of other members after a show of submission.
It's important that rabbits live with at least one other rabbit at all times, so that they feel safe. As they're social animals, they also enjoy eating together, grooming each other and lying down together to keep each other warm.