5 Things About Rabbits

5 Things About Rabbits

Ears

Rabbit ears are a highly exaggerated structure, with the world-record lop rabbit being just shy of 80cm and the desert jackrabbit having the most relativity of ~17% concerning their body size.

These lanky auricles permit enhanced area coverage for soundwave direction to the ear canal; and can flip 180 degrees for better perception of sounds behind, most notably in order to escape potential threats and predators sooner.

They also have a high abundance of blood vessels for core temperature regulation. The ears can stretch to an even greater surface area for further heat loss; or fold for preservation. Hence, rabbits in colder environments have evolved shorter ones - whereas rabbits usually have more prominent ears within hotter climates.

Rabbits vs Hares

The hare species are virtually all wild, mostly weightier plus more solitary, while 'humanised' rabbits require pairing at least. Bulkier means longer ears on average to reach a further distance, along with more muscular and elongated hind legs for hopping.

Perhaps the safety regarding their domestication as pets in certain areas has hindered their abilities a spec. Speed, agility, acceleration, jumping and hearing awareness are much less necessary for a rabbit than for a hare's survival.

Nose Waggle

Nose waggling isn't just smelling but breathing since they have no alternative for ventilating. As with Rabbits' close relatives, rodents, alongside horses, Rabbits are obligate nasal breathers (cannot breathe through the mouth). Whenever they are not swallowing, the oral pharynx gets sealed because of the epiglottis above the mouth's soft palate.

It is assumed to help them have an easier time smelling whilst eating simultaneously, benefitting their balancing of foraging time and predation risk. The nostrils having less volume for air than the mouth entails that they can inhale for longer until the lungs fill, meaning they are able to spend more time identifying odour particles.

The nose waggles become faster when intrigued (using smell for identification), hot or stressed (increased heart rate).

Mobility

Like humans, rabbits have a plantigrade structure (whole foot on the ground) when stationary - swapping to digitigrade (using just toes) to run, especially the back feet, as they are much longer. It allows for speedier strides pertaining to less time to put the toes down than the entire foot - they are also quite lengthy, with a fixed position due to webbing for stability.

Their hopping motion gets dictated by the hindlimbs being longer than the front, with the back feet, lower legs, and thighs forming diagonal zigzag shapes from the pelvis (the back feet pretty much reach halfway across the body). Furthermore, the hindlimbs are reinforced with extra muscle mass from all the hopping, helping resist fatigue to move for longer - while also allowing them to stand up tall to 'periscope' their surroundings better.

The quadricep and hamstring pairs function antagonistically. The quadriceps have a low fibre length compared to muscle mass, implicating that the muscles don't have to shorten as much for contraction. Resulting in the production of an explosive propelling force off the ground, intensified with faster strides and augmented distance to escape predators. The records for single jumps are barely under 1 metre high and 3 metres long.

The hamstrings are much more flexible, with a broad excursion range (change in muscle length needed for a joint's full motion range), so the rabbit can resist the landing impact in combination with the forelimbs; then having the motion range to pull back into position to prepare for the next push. Moreover, the tibia and fibula of the lower leg are fused for emphasis on landing support, balance and power generation at the expense of flexibility.

Rabbits not sufficiently exercised are more inclined to develop osteoporosis due to bone rarefaction (reduced density and strength due to lack of resistance).

Communication

Rabbits are fairly subtle but expressive communicators to other rabbits and humans. Their implicit body language, for instance, could require a little attentiveness but can portray their mood, approachability or health. Here are some examples...

-Ear Positions-

Angled forward = inquisitive

Straight up 90 degrees = alert

~20-30 degrees back = default (some go in different directions e.g. one up, one out to the side)

~45 degrees back = aggression/on edge

180 degrees flat backward = relaxed

-Tail Positions-

Down = hesitancy/submission

Up = assertiveness/aggression or anxiety (maybe with some rigid tension, visible teeth, growls/grunts, rearing weight back down to the ground or a boxing stance)

Wag = non-aggressive decision against something/playful passive-aggressive 'back-talk'

-Relaxation-

Relaxation/sleeping infers trust in a human or other rabbits for their safety despite vulnerability, amplified with shared comfort in numbers. Rabbits typically rest like a flat stretchy pancake, a loaf of bread, or when they flop over into a croissant. The highest comfort level is likely when they lie upside down with their belly exposed and feet in the air.

-Actions/Vocalisations-

'Binkies' and/or 'zoomies' = excitement - dashing around, jumping and gyrating/twisting, head shaking and kicking midair (maybe with some 'honks' - snuffy sounds)

Cold shoulder = upset/sulking - turned around facing away (it's all your fault)

Nip = context-dependent - could be a warning, grooming method for matted fur or enquiring immediate attention (they sometimes try to groom a human doing this)

Nudge = slight agitation maybe to get another rabbit out of the way, but more subtle nudges are attention seeking (can also circle around humans for attention)

Purring and/or teeth clicking = contentness (not to be confused with excessive tooth grinding, a sign of distress, pain, or discomfort)

Scream = terror or excruciation

Thumping = warning signal or territorial assertion against other rabbits in the wild, or a disliking/irritation over something (more captivity-oriented)

-Rabbit Pairs/Groups-

Close rabbits often mimic and conform to one another, e.g., relaxing or allogrooming - validation in numbers seems to ease tension with comfort and security.

Rabbit friends can groom each other's foreheads after a dispute where they chase, lunge and nip, suggesting they've made up a bit. The dominant one generally gets groomed first, lowering its forehead by bowing, sometimes nudging the other's chin.

In less familiar pairs or groups, chasing 'procedures' allude to hierarchal establishment, and forehead lowering may be viewed as a confrontation with the dominant individual (assertive ones may not mind more bonded rabbits that drop their heads first).