Reproductive behaviours

Behaviours relating to rabbits’ need to reproduce

 

Binkying  •  Chasing  •  Circling  •  Fur pulling  •  Honking  •  Mounting  •  Nesting  •  Spraying urine  •  Thumping

 

Behaviours summary

Rabbits have a reputation for prolific breeding, hence the expression ‘to breed like rabbits’. In the wild, this is essential, as rabbits are prey for many other animals, and need to maintain their numbers. Populations are usually kept in check by predation and other risks such as road traffic, disease, and shooting.

Bucks reach sexual maturity at around 4 months. Does can become pregnant when they are around 3 months old, and can conceive at any time of year (although they breed mainly in spring and summer, due to climate and food availability).

During courtship, males display their agility and speed. Scattering droppings and scent marking is performed to attract females and establish a hierarchy among competing males. Other behaviours for communicating an intention to mate include binkying, chasing, circling, grooming, honking, mounting, and thumping. The buck will have his tail raised. Bucks may also claim a doe by spraying urine.

If the doe becomes pregnant (or has a pseudopregnancy), she will begin nesting (usually in a dead-end burrow – nesting chamber), collecting grass and straw, and fur pulling to line the nest. A doe’s gestation period is 28-31 days, and the average litter size is 6, although there can be up to 14 kittens (baby rabbits – also known as kits). New-born kits weigh about 30-35g, and are altricial – hairless, blind, and deaf. The doe’s milk is very rich, so the kits only need to nurse twice a day, for a few minutes each time, usually at dawn and dusk. This helps to reduce the chance of predators discovering them. At 8 days, they usually have fur, and by day 10 their eyes are open. After a fortnight, they emerge from the burrow. The kits are fully weaned at around 4-6 weeks old.

Rabbits can become pregnant straight after giving birth, meaning that they could produce up to 13 litters per year. 

Rabbits are prolific breeders – Magic was one of a litter of 9!
(Now, of course, we would always adopt, not go to a breeder for a rabbit)

Without neutering, domestic rabbits are also prolific breeders. A doe can produce many offspring per year, and bucks will persistently try to mate. It’s essential to ensure baby domestic rabbits are sexed properly, and that all pet rabbits are neutered.

Occasionally, even neutered pet rabbits may start nesting. This can be caused by ‘spring fever’ – neutering rabbits doesn’t eliminate all hormones, so some hormonal behaviours may continue, especially with the arrival of spring.

 

Binkying

A binky is a playful twisting leap, often accompanied by kicking out of the legs, or shaking of the head and ears. Binkies are often performed during courtship, communicating a buck’s affection towards a doe. Binkying is also a rabbit’s escape technique. In pet rabbits, binkies are usually a sign of happiness – like a joyful dance. We must allow our rabbits plenty of space to express themselves (minimum 3m x 2m x 1m high).  Back ↑

Chasing

During courtship, a buck may chase a doe. This is a way to display his vitality, and also to check the fitness of his chosen mate. He may also chase off rivals. Chasing is also a hierarchical behaviour. Dijon pestering Mabel, when he was just 8wks old (before he was neutered).   For our pet rabbits, chasing as a courtship behaviour should be minimal following neutering, but it’s essential to allow enough space (minimum 3m x 2m x 1m high) for them to run away if their companion does start chasing, otherwise they may resort to fighting. Back ↑

Circling

Running in circles around another rabbit is a behaviour seen during courtship, and is often accompanied by honking. Circling is also a hierarchical behaviour. Our rabbits might circle their partner, or us, to display their affection, or their excitement (eg. when food is approaching). Unneutered rabbits, or those kept without a rabbit companion, are more likely to circle their owners. We must ensure all rabbits are neutered, and that they have suitable companionship. Back ↑

Fur pulling

If a doe is pregnant, she will pull her fur out for nesting. Fur pulling is also a hierarchical behaviour. When Mabel was 4 months old, shortly before she was spayed, she made a nest and lined it with her fur.   It’s important to ensure our pet rabbits are neutered to avoid the risk of accidental litters. However, even neutered rabbits may display nesting behaviours, such as fur pulling, especially in spring. Regular fur pulling can be an abnormal behaviour – a sign of boredom or frustration. Back ↑

Honking

A gentle ‘hmm-hmm’ sound, often accompanied by circling, is used for communicating affection. Honking is also a social behaviour. Our rabbits might honk at their partner, or at us, to display their affection, or their excitement (eg. when food is approaching). Unneutered rabbits, or those kept without a rabbit companion, are more likely to circle and honk at their owners. We must ensure our rabbits are neutered, and that they have suitable companionship. Back ↑

Mounting

Bucks mount does to mate. Mounting is also a hierarchical behaviour. Dijon was constantly mounting Mabel before he was neutered... and it continued after, as some testicular tissue remained and he required further surgery! See here for the full story.   Mounting as a reproductive behaviour mostly stops after pet rabbits are neutered, although occasionally it may occur in spring.  Back ↑

Nesting

If a doe is pregnant, or has a pseudopregnancy, she will build a nest (usually in a dead-end burrow – nesting chamber), collecting grass and straw, and fur pulling to line it. Neroli was neutered, but occasionally would start collecting nesting material.   It’s important to ensure our pet rabbits are neutered, to avoid the risk of accidental litters. However, even neutered rabbits may display nesting behaviours, especially in spring. Back ↑

Spraying urine

Urine is sprayed for scent marking purposes, and during courtship, it’s common for a male to spray, often over the doe. Spraying urine is also a hierarchical behaviour. For domestic rabbits, the behaviour is usually eliminated by neutering. The sheet of plastic we used to protect our living room walls: Adolescent Dijon sprayed urine every time he was excited – especially when we approached with food, but frequently when circling Mabel. Unfortunately, it continued after he was neutered, and was the main reason we agreed to investigative surgery. See here for the full story.   Back ↑

Thumping

Rabbits thump their hind feet on the ground to make a sound. When courting a doe, a buck may perform circling and thumping to display his fitness and dominance. Thumping is also a method of communication between rabbits and a prey animal behaviour.  Our rabbits might thump at their partner, or at us, to display their affection, or their excitement (eg. when food is approaching). We must ensure all rabbits are neutered. It’s important to understand our rabbits’ body language to recognise the contextual meanings of  thumping – if the thumping is because they’re scared, we may need to help them feel secure, by removing something they perceive as a threat.  Back ↑