Behaviour

How to meet our rabbits' need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns

What are normal behaviour patterns?

If we are responsible for a rabbit, we must ensure that its “need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns” is met (the third Welfare Need listed under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006). But what are rabbits' normal behaviour patterns?

A behaviour is an observable act or reaction, produced in response to a situation. It could be the response to thoughts and feelings, or to the environment and what’s happening in it. It can be voluntary or involuntary, based on instinct, or learned from experiences.

Our pet rabbits’ behaviours are very similar to those of their wild ancestors. Domestication of rabbits happened relatively recently, and their nature hasn’t changed significantly. Therefore, to appreciate our rabbits’ complex behaviour patterns, it’s vital to understand the nature of their wild ancestors.

Bunnymad’s glossary of normal behaviours exhibited by rabbits

Click here to browse our A-Z of all the normal behaviours we could think of that are exhibited by the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).