Flopping When Scared/Anxious?

[Otti]

 So I’ve been wondering something since yesterday when I brought Sammy home from my friend’s place, where he was being taken care of while I was home for the holidays. 

Whenever I take Sammy on a car trip, he’ll sit/move around in his carrier looking really scared, panting, wide-eyed etc for the first 10 to 15 minutes, and then about 15 minutes in, he’ll first sit more comfortably, and then eventually flop in his carrier on his side (feet stretched out and everthing).

He still looks a bit wide-eyed and seems to be trembling a bit… so I’m just wondering, would it be possible for him to flop though still scared and anxious? Or is it necessary that a bunny is calm/relaxed for them to flop?

Just curious, so I can figure out if he is really scared the full time during car trips or just at first. 

He did great at my friend’s place. Started pooping/eating/running around normally the second I left and same thing since I brought him home. Must be that he’s so adaptable from his life on the streets but I was almost a little hurt he didn’t seem to miss me more LOL

[LizzieKnittyBun]

lol, I completely understand that sentiment. I went on a short trip recently and Stan took care of Remy and Momo while I was out of town. When I came back, instead of running to me joyfully and showering me with affection, they mostly acted like they were a little freaked out that I was suddenly back again. After about an hour, I was getting licks and noses again, thank goodness, but sometimes we have to remind ourselves that rabbits aren’t puppies ; D

The only time I’ve seen our buns flop when they weren’t comfortable and relaxed is when Momo was having a gas episode. She flopped, got up, flopped, got up, and repeated the process over and over again. I realized that she was unable to get comfortable, no matter how she sat.

I think that if Sammy were scared or uncomfortable and flopped, you’d probably notice a difference. You obviously love him a lot and pay attention to his mannerisms. Owners like that are often perceptive when it comes to behavioral changes.

So I’m sure he’s fine : )

[Otti]

I know, my friend called me while I was literally five minutes from her house, and she was like “Oh he’s doing so great!” thinking it would make me happy and calm me down since I thought he was going to go on a multiple day hunger strike or something. And obviously it did make me happy and calm me down, but also I was like… what the heck, already?! lol

Yeah… I’m just confused about the randomness. It’s as if, all things equal, at first in the car he’s like OMG What the heck is going on?!! And then all of a sudden he’s like “okay whatevs”, FLOP! lol

Eh, at least he calms down at some point.

[jerseygirl]

It’s a good question. Food for thought.

Is this flopping where he zones out? Like trancing?

It’s interesting…i’ve noticed some similarity to when the do the ‘dead bunny flop’ and being tranced, though when put in trance you can see the breathing is faster. Maybe it’s one of those things, an ability they have that can be used in different circumstances. Flop being a relaxed thing, (good way to get some deep sleep?) but also be a coping mechanism in some cases? Possibly even help them regulate temperature and stress levels?  Like the Binky. It can be an evasive move they use to escape predators but it’s something we also see in other settings. It can be play or them practicing their moves. Like kids practicing their karate moves.

Flops can be so random and funny. I recently saw Jersey do a full roll over. She was standing next to Rumball and threw herself over. She might have thought he be a good bumper to flop against but she ended up going right over and looking a bit befuddled.

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I wonder if it’s a resigned, I hate cars and I don’t like this but I better get comfortable thing? Or I’m wondering-hot from being a little worked out-put more of my body on the cool carrier to cool off?
I think your gut is right-she’s worked up…But….I’d say she’s on the way to calming down somehow or she would huddle up.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Olivia did something similar during her first few car trips with us. She was terrified, almost hyperventilating and then layed down with her back legs stretched out. I was so worried. Stormy also flopped down like that when he experienced painful gas.

[Otti]

Yeah… I think he’s still at least anxious when he does it, so maybe it’s that he’s either trying to be more comfortable in the carrier and maybe lays down to slide around less. OR, could it be possible that the anxiety/fear actually makes him kind of gassy (you know how sometimes happens with humans) so his reaction is to lay down like they do when they get naturally gassy? who knows.

I noticed yesterday (day after car trip) that I could hear occasional soft gurguling coming from his stomach (not right after he drank). I would be worried except he’s eating his own weight in hay every day and all of his veggies and pellets eagerly, and still his normal pooping-maching self. But maybe it’s so remaining gassiness from the anxious car trip? hmmmm.

[Isabelle]

Dutchess has laid down a few times on her belly for car trips, but still breathes harder than normal. I think it is a bit of relaxation, but it’s not the same as when they’re at home and doing it. For Dutchess I take it as sign that she’s physically comfortable, and in a state of less stress than the initial start of the trip. I think bunnies tend to flop when they feel safe. I guess with Dutchess, I equate it to me sitting down for an interview (still job hunting). I can sit and be fairly relaxed outwardly feeling physically safe, but inwardly be nervous about the situation. I could be completely wrong, but it’s one view ^_^

[RabbitPam]

I’ve often thought that much of their behavior stems from centuries of ingrained coping methods of a small prey animal. Binkies may be happy, but a sudden leap and change of direction with a twist is also a very good way to get away from a larger beast that can’t stop to reverse direction while running in pursuit.

It’s possible that a flop is in part an attempt to play dead. If a circumstance is stressful, and there’s obviously no escape, flop over and look like the fight is done and the bunny lost. If a predetor detects through motion, you would be undetectable. If a predator thinks a limp prey is no fun to toy with, you’re boring and might be left alone. So there may be that association with a stressful circumstance. i would prefer to think it’s resignation, and a comfortable plopping in the carrier until the ride is over.

[Otti]

Oh! I just realized I forgot to include an important detail. It didn’t happen this last car trip, but every previous time Sammy has flopped in his carrier and I’ve gone to pet him in there, he’ll do the tooth purring thing. So maybe he is just resigned to the circumstances and slightly relaxing after all

[RabbitPam]

Well then maybe it’s more like when they get their nails trimmed: they run and carry on like babies being tortured, then when it’s done they play and dance and do binkies because their paws feel so much better. Bunnies are fickle.

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