❗Extremely serious question about bunny behavior❗

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 1 month ago by LBJ10.

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- 09/20/2020 at 8:21 PM
  Emelia7124
  Participant
  24 posts
  Why do rabbits growl and attack?
  
  In the wild rabbit moms always train her rabbit kids to absolutely fear foxes or eagles, when they see one, just run for their life, never look back or be eaten.
  
  But when my bunny sees grandma, whom she hate, she just growl and attack, don’t she feel terrified that she may eat her? Does she see me as her protector mom?? Please help.
- 09/20/2020 at 10:17 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17023 posts
  Wild bunnies will sometimes fight back against a predator.
  
  Pet bunnies can growl and lunge if they are fearful. However, this is not always the case. The more common reason is a bunny being territorial. They will growl and lunge at an intruder that they perceive is invading their territory. So grandma probably isn’t a “predator”, she is probably another “rabbit” trying to invade your bunny’s territory.
- 09/21/2020 at 1:13 PM
  Emelia7124
  Participant
  24 posts
  Haha yeah, grandma always waves her hand directly in her face, I’d be annoyed too if I was her. But grandma is 100 times larger than my bunny, how could she misunderstand grandma as a rabbit???
- 09/21/2020 at 3:56 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  When rabbits communicate with each other, getting right in the other rabbit’s face is seen as threatening, so that would explain why your rabbit is getting defensive towards her.
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 09/21/2020 at 7:24 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17023 posts
  Domesticated rabbits typically don’t see humans as a predator, especially ones that are accustomed to living inside a house. They will communicate (or attempt to communicate) with you like they would with another rabbit. I’m sure they know humans aren’t actually rabbits, but they interact with humans as though they are peers (rather than predators). However, rabbit language is different than cat or dog language.
  
  Anyway, if grandma encroaches on bunny’s territory and waves her hand in her face, then bunny may perceive that as a threat. Therefore, she gets defensive in the same manner she would if it was an actual rabbit encroaching on her territory and, as Dana said, getting in her face. Make sense?
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