22 Interesting Facts About Rabbits [Fun Things To Know]

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There is a lot more to rabbits than the carrot-loving, cute, and furry creatures we make them be. They are a lot smarter than we think. They have a mind of their own and can do things you never thought they could.

Are you a parent to a rabbit? Or do you intend to get one soon? Here are some interesting facts about rabbits you should be familiar with.

1. Rabbits Can Also Be Trained to Use Litter Boxes

Like cats, a rabbit [1] can also be trained to use a litter box.

Although it can take a bit longer and can be more tasking, it is possible to litter train your rabbit and save yourself from picking their droppings all around the house.

You can do this by selecting a corner of your house or their cage and placing a litter box with a selection of hay. (Rabbits like to eat [2] hay while they go to the toilet).

Then place some of their old droppings into the litter tray. This will encourage your rabbit to start using the tray.

Here’s a video to help you out:

2. Rabbits Can Give Birth to Lots Of Babies

A mother rabbit can have up to 12 babies [3] known as “kits,” a short form for kittens, their circle is about 30 days on average. Rabbits can start reproducing at the age of 4 months.

In the wild, a rabbit gives birth in a hole with less protection for their babies. They cover them with grass and their fur.

They spend less time with their babies to avoid predators. The babies grow up fast enough and become independent too.

3. Rabbits Get Easily Bored

When a person is left alone or locked in a room with no person or toys to play with, it gets tiring, and boredom sets in.

This is the exact way your rabbits feel when you leave them alone in a cage, without toys or freedom to run around and play.

rabbit is bored in cage that is one fo the interesting facts about rabbits

This can lead to depression [4] or cause them to be withdrawn and sad.

Therefore, to keep your rabbits healthy and happy, it is essential not to make them bored by providing them with lots of toys, space to run, hay to play in and eat, and you will see them jumping and playing joyfully.

It would be best to play and bond with your rabbit daily. It’s essential to interact with your rabbit every day to get plenty of exercises, but it also helps build trust between the rabbit and its owner.

You should be giving them a set amount of time to go into their run each day.

RELATED: Do Rabbits Get Lonely?

4. When Rabbits Are Excited They Bink

One of the most adorable behaviors of rabbits is binky [5]. They do this once in a while when they are excited and happy. This can only be noticed when you spend enough time with them.

When this happens, they hop and make a twist in the air by kicking their feet. This makes me happy because when my rabbit is happy, I am also happy. A happy rabbit is a healthy rabbit.

It’s a nice feeling when you witness your rabbit doing this. My rabbit would jump off my house’s walls and then jump and twist/kick his feet in the air. This would carry on for 30 seconds to a minute at a time.

5. Some Rabbits Can Grow To the Size of a Toddler

Often, the rabbits we see are the tiny ones. Is it not amazing that there is a species of rabbit that can be as big as a toddler?

They are called Flemish giant rabbits, they are the largest breed of rabbits globally, and they can grow to 2.5 feet in length and weigh close to 22 pounds, if not more.

flemish giant rabbit in outside

You might have seen them while scrolling down your social media timeline!

The most striking fact about these giant rabbits is that they are calm and gentle and are adorable to get as pets.

6. Rabbit Are Crepuscular In Nature

Many get this word wrong and think rabbits sleep during the day and stay awake at night. I’m afraid that’s not right, but it also does not mean they sleep at night and are sharp in the daytime.

The fact behind being crepuscular is that they are more active at dawn and dusk.

7. Rabbits Eat Their Dropping

I know how disgusted you must be at the sight of this less adorable part of a rabbit.

Rabbits are generally cute, but eating their poop is one of the less adorable behaviors they have, and you can’t stop it.

It is vital for them and is how a rabbit processes their digested food the second time.

This helps them get all the nutrients in the food, thereby improving their health state.

They have two different kinds of poop. The first type is referred to as cecotropes. This type is always soft, which they eat again, while the second type is a waste product.

They do not eat this type as it doesn’t have enough nutrients.

8. Rabbits Should Not Be Kept Outdoor

It is very unsafe to leave your rabbit outdoors. This is because they are natural prey and can be fed upon by predators.

Whether a rabbit is kept in a hutch or not, it is not safe.

Rabbits need as much love and attention as you would give a cat or a dog. They should not be neglected and left to stay outside the house.

a child girl taking care of rabbit

When rabbits are kept outside unsupervised, they may wander off or feed on grasses that have been sprayed with insecticide.

When they ingest pesticide or herbicides, it can cause the rabbit to fall sick, or even worse. The rabbit might die.

Therefore, your rabbits should be kept safe indoors or somewhere you can keep a very close eye on.

Also, it would be best to buy your rabbit toys to satisfy their desire to dig or play, but remember always to purchase rabbit-friendly toys.

9. Rabbits Cannot Vomit

Many animals can vomit what they already ate, examples are cats, and they can vomit up what they ingested earlier in the day.

On the other hand, a rabbit cannot. This is because the digestive system is not built to move in the reverse direction, so when they eat, they cannot vomit it.

10. They Are Remarkably Hygienic

Like cats, rabbits can keep themselves clean; they do this by licking their paws and fur. And unlike some other pets, you don’t need to bathe a rabbit.

Check this video for some grooming tips!

@hairandhay

Bunny grooming part 1 #bunniesoftiktok #rescuebunny #rescuerabbit #grooming #adoptdontshop #sassybunny

♬ _Cute – Gabe Lost

11. They Need To Be Brushed Regularly

Rabbits shed a lot of furs and can get hairballs while grooming themselves, but unlike cats, they cannot vomit or cough them out. Therefore, it is essential to brush them to remove loose fur and prevent hairball formation.

When your rabbit gets hairballs, it may require urgent treatment or operation by a specialized vet, or the rabbit might end up dead.

RELATED: Can Rabbits Get Wet?

12. It Is Difficult To Sneak Up On a Rabbit

You most likely did not know this, but the rabbit’s vision can cover close to 360 degrees, making it difficult to sneak upon them.

They can see what is coming from behind, above, and beside them even without turning their heads.

But they are partially blind when a thing is placed directly in front of their faces.

13. Rabbits Need Four Hours to Exercise A Day

For your rabbit to remain healthy and happy, it has to exercise and play at least 4 hours a day. This helps them to prevent osteoporosis.

Check this fun video!

@trixie_bunny21

Bunny exercise #jumparound #happybunny #binky #bunny #exercise #cutebunny #bunnytok #petsoftiktok #rabbitsoftiktok

♬ Jump Around – House Of Pain

14. Their Ears Are Like Antennas

Would you believe it if I let you know that a rabbit can pick up sounds from different directions and can hear from two approaches at the same time?

The ears of a rabbit are not just big. They are significant to their daily activities. Rabbit ears also help them to keep calm always.

15. Their Teeth and Nail Do Not Stop Growing

Rabbits’ nails do not stop growing, just like humans. Therefore, they require regular nail trimming about once every six weeks.

Check this technique!

@thewellkeptrabbit

Let us know how this works for you! #thewellkeptrabbit #fyp #foryoupage #rabbitcaretips #rabbitcare101 #nailtriming #rabbitgrooming #bunnygrooming

♬ Send Me on My Way – Guy Meets Girl

Also, their teeth never stop growing; this is the reason why they should eat timothy hay regularly and wooden toys to prevent their teeth from growing too long.

When their teeth grow too long, it can become painful, and they may find it challenging to eat, which is dangerous to their health. They may starve to death.

16. Rabbits Require Special Doctors

When other animals are sick, they are taken to animal specialists called “vets” you would have probably thought the same goes for rabbits, but that is wrong.

Rabbits are remarkable creatures, and they require exceptional doctors that are experts in treating rabbits.

These doctors are rare, and when found, they can be expensive, but your rabbit’s health is critical, and you don’t want it to be sick.

When your rabbit shows symptoms such as a runny nose, head tilt, diarrhea, or sneezing, it means they are sick, and they need to be paid close attention and taken to a specialist.

17. Rabbits Need To Be Sprayed or Neutered

It would be best to spay or neuter your rabbit because it can increase its life span. A sterilized rabbit can live up to 12years; that is about four years longer than a rabbit that has not been sprayed.

If a female rabbit is not sprayed, there is a high chance of getting reproductive cancer.

Make sure to also read our guide about rabbit biting.

18. They Are Not Starter Pets

Many homes with rabbits are mostly bought as Easter gifts for kids because many people feel rabbits are less work to care for, unlike dogs and cats. I am sorry to break it to you.

Still, rabbits need more time and attention than dogs, cats, and other kinds of animal companions.

This is because training a rabbit can be a lot of work, they need to be kept in a bunny-proof environment, potty trained, and they need to be kept in safe environments with proper supervision, so they don’t escape.

Also, rabbits have a pretty long life span and can live for about 10 to 12 years, give or take. When adopting a rabbit or giving a rabbit as a gift, you need to be ready to take responsibility for an extended period.

rabbit smelling flowers

Suppose you have already bought a rabbit as a gift or are not ready for such responsibility.

In that case, it is only appropriate to research rabbit rescue groups and not just throw them into the streets or leave them alone in a hutch outside the house.

For more great pet care advice, read my article “Bedding for Rabbits.” It’s a handy guide for rabbit owners. Happy reading!

19. They Cannot Survive On Just Carrot

People often believe carrots are the central part of a rabbit’s diet due to television programs and movies stereotyping this.

Although rabbits enjoy carrots, they cannot live only on carrots like the cartoons make it seem. Rabbits do not feed on root vegetables in the wild; they feed majorly on fresh greens like weed, clovers, and grasses.

a rabbit eating celery

Although they can be given carrots as a treat once in a while, it should not be their principal food, as it can be dangerous to their health. The high sugar content in carrots can cause their teeth to decay.

20. There Are Tons of Homeless Rabbits That Need To Be Sheltered

When you hear of animals in shelters, you think of Dogs and Cats first before any other animal companion. However, there are many rabbits without shelters.

During Easters, many parents are tempted to buy their children rabbits. After Easter, most rabbits are kept outside in a hutch or abandoned to wander about, in which case many of them end up starving to death or fed upon by predators.

It is also advisable to adopt a pet rabbit than buying one from a pet store.

21. Rabbits Are Not Appropriate Companions for Kids

Rabbits are sensitive creatures, and they get stressed quickly by the slightest excitement of a child. These animals love hiding in the ground and are often frightened when restrained or held.

a cute children trying to play with rabbit

Also, rabbits don’t play like other animal companions, so kids may find them boring and lose interest in them faster than you can imagine. They may end up abandoning the rabbit and locking it up in the cage.

22. Rabbits Have Their Own Unique Personalities

Some mistake treating a rabbit like they will treat a cat or a dog when it comes to training them to do things or when trying to communicate with them.

It is time you realized that rabbits are different and have different unique behaviors.

It can be a bit tasking to know your rabbit or for your rabbit to become familiar with you and trust you. It is more difficult to know if your rabbit will get along with another pet or even another rabbit.

This is because they have different personalities.

When considering adopting more than one rabbit, it is essential to know that it is not always easy for two rabbits to get along, and it can be dangerous.

a pair of rabbits

FAQs

Does age make a difference while litter training a rabbit?

Yes! It does. Older rabbits are way easier to litter train than younger ones, especially the kittens. If you have a baby rabbit, keep training it. With time it will learn, and if you want to litter train your older rabbit, then go for it!

How do I start the search for a rabbit vet?

It is advisable to start the search for a rabbit specialist before any emergency. You can start by checking the House Rabbit Society’s list of recommended veterinarians. You can then proceed to check Google for rabbit specialists.

Does it make any difference to spray or neuter your rabbit?

Yes! It matter. It is the most crucial factor. At the age of 4 to 6 months, they start developing active hormones and mark their territories. Spraying them helps to keep them healthy and live longer.

rabbit in a good mood

Do you know anything else interesting about rabbits’ facts? Please share with us.

Resources

1. The Complete Guide to Rabbits [Internet]. www.petmd.com. Available from: https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/general-health/complete-guide-rabbits

2. March 2017 AB-LSC 07. Rabbits: Habits, Diet & Other Facts [Internet]. livescience.com. Available from: https://www.livescience.com/28162-rabbits.html#:~:text=Rabbits%20are%20herbivores.

3. Ope. How Many Litters Can A Rabbit Have In A Lifetime [Internet]. Justagric. 2021 [cited 2022 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.justagric.com/how-many-litters-can-a-rabbit-have-in-a-lifetime-2/#:~:text=The%20maximum%20number%20of%20litters

4. Curik I, Kövér G, Farkas J, Szendrő Z, Romvári R, Sölkner J, et al. Inbreeding depression for kit survival at birth in a rabbit population under long-term selection. Genetics Selection Evolution. 2020;52.

5. Varga M. Rabbit Basic Science. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine [Internet]. 2014;3–108. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158370/

Tamsin
Tamsin

Hi, I’m Tamsin. I’m a serious animal lover and dog behaviorist and trainer. In fact, I live on a farm with nine rescues! So, I love writing about and creating awareness around the health and wellness of all animals. Find her on Linkedin. Read her latest articles Learn more about her HERE.

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