Confused about bunny behaviour…:

[smarshy90]

Hi, new poster here!
I was just looking for advice on some behaviours that my bun exhibits…

A quick bit of background – I’ve got two mixed bred boys (neutered), house bunnies, been together since they were babies and adore each other (always grooming each other, cuddling up together etc) they are also very different personalities! Arth is very inquisitive, first to explore and curious about everything. JackJack is a lot more careful, loving, but a bit of a stamper.

I’ve had them since they were babies but they’ve never been too thrilled about being handled – which I’m fine with although I try to handle and groom them regularly they are quite happy to just bounce around and groom me while I lay on the floor with them.

When handling JackJack will sit quite happily, doesn’t show signs of worry or fear (ears are alert but he’s not bug-eyed) he’ll allow me to brush and stroke him then scampers off when I let him down (although he always flicks his feet after which I’ve read is a sign of disgust!!)
Arth however will try to bite, dig and claw at me when I first hold him, I have to try and ride the wave of ferociousness until he calms (after a couple of mins) and then he’ll sit still quite happily teeth chattering (it’s definitely chattering as opposed to grinding) away for a few minutes until he returns to psycho-pit-bull-bunny! I always try to put him down while he’s in his happy/content state, I just can’t figure out why he flips between the two behaviours so quickly? Has anyone else experienced this? Will me handling him more help this or just encourage his biting? (He doesn’t bite any other time)

Thanks in advance!

[Jazlyn]

I’m thinking he may just not want to be handled, one of my buns used to act like that. He was never aggresive until I tried to pick him up. Then when he was calm in my arms, he quickly changed back to being aggresive because he wanted down. Maybe handling could change that one day, because my bun, Zel, changed his behaviour when his only option was to be held so I could help him heal (he recently had a bad incident). I’m not sure though, some bunnies just really hate being handled.
Hope everything works out for you and your buns!

[Author]

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