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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Nose bump

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    • MadRabbit
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        I’m trying to build some trust with my bunnies, so I lie on the floor with them.  Eventually they are curious enough to start sniffing at me.  Sometimes they give me a nose bump, usually at my feet.  What does that mean?  Do they want attention? Or do they want me to leave?  Either way they hop away and thump at me. 


      • (dig)x(me)x(now)
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          As far as I’m aware bunnies will nudge for different reasons, but in in general it’s a “Hey you!” and means they want something. Sometimes it’s “Hey you, get out of my way!” or “Hey you, why aren’t you petting me?” or it can be “Hey you, pay attention to me!” or “Hey you, where’s the food?/gimme a treat!”


        • Beka27
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            my Max does this. he’s been with us just over 4 months and he won’t let me pet him without running off. he will come up and nose bump me, but if i reach down to give head pets, he startles and then runs.

            my Meadow does this too, but she has a different meaning. hers means, stop doing whatever you are doing and pet me like the furry princess i am!!!

            do you reach down to pet when you get nose bumped? do they let you pet? what happens following the nose bump will tell you more about the context.


          • bunnytowne
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              Ruby does that a lot.  When I go to pet her she hops off shortly after.  She will also nip my toe sometimes too.


            • MadRabbit
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                My bunnies do the exact same thing, Beka.  They will come up and nose bump me, but if I reach out  to touch them, they are startled and hops away.  So what is the appropriate response?  It’s difficult to determine what context this nudge represents.  They are usually in the inquisitive mode when this happens, though they initiate this only when I lie real close to them.


              • Balefulregards
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                  I’m guessing that you are being “spec’ed” out by your rabbit. Kind of like a “Hey – I want to see if you are going to eat me or otherwise threaten me, and sniff you at the same time…BUT DON’T TRY TO TOUCH ME!!!”

                  Coco is just now coming to my hand when it is out – she much more frequently comes to me, nudges me and then presents her nose for rubbing and scratching.


                • wendyzski
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                    Nose bumps from Pepper are kind of “hey” like when you pass someone on the street.  Just a sort of acknowledgement.

                    If I’m sitting then they are “hey – any food?”

                    If I’m in her way they are “hey – MOVE” and if I don’t she tugs at my clothes and if I STILL don’t move she nips.


                  • Beka27
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                      i don’t actually know what the next step is with my Max. he doesn’t respond well to the usual let them explore you thing. so i’m still trying to figure it all out.


                    • Scarlet_Rose
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                        I’m with Wendyzki, my two have the same interpretations – how funny

                        Has anyone else noticed that the Language of Logomorphs web site is GONE?!

                        O.K. whew!  A little more looking revealed that the site moved here:

                        http://language.rabbitspeak.com/rabbittalk.html

                        If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it as it is very interesting and informative.

                         


                      • Sage Cat
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                          Ha, Ha. I call them “Little Bunny Head Butts”

                          I get these constantly. Most of the time – with my little ones – it means “Hi, what’s going on? Do you have a treat for me?”

                          Since my buns mostly only snuggle with each other – I find these to be pretty endearing!


                        • BinkyBunny
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                            Jack is a huge nose bumper! He usually does it as he passes by to say, “Hi, I’m here, you’re there, so watch it”


                          • Beka27
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                              yesterday i was standing in my bedroom doorway. Mike had just gotten home from work so we were talking about our days… i felt a couple bumps on my ankle, then i felt a tug on my jeans. then more bumps. then what felt like nibbles on my jeans. i didn’t even look down b/c i knew it was Meadow. Mike starts laughing quietly… i look down… and it was MAX! he’s never given more than one nose bump! it was really cute. i just let him sit there and bite my pants…


                            • MarkBun
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                                If he nose bumps you, you can try two things.

                                What I do is that I make a fist and put it an inch or two in front of the bun’s face, with it resting on the ground. I make pretend it’s another bun’s head and see what they do. Since it isn’t approaching them/touching them, it gives them something else to sniff around.

                                The second thing is something someone else posted that I never knew. Cup your hands as if you’re trying to catch some water and put your fingers just touching the ground a couple inches from their heads. Apparently buns interpret this as a “may I please groom you?” If the bun then puts their head down and ears slightly back, it means, “Yes, you may,” and then you can try to pet them. Don’t go too slow nor too fast, just reach like you would to get a glass and then pet.


                              • Misskaruhl
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                                  Peanut butter gives me nose bumps whenever she passes by me… i take them as a “hey get out of the way” or if she’s hanging out under the table and i go to say hi she’ll bump me out haha

                                  jelly does them a lot but I really don’t know what she means haha she seems to want a treat from me.


                                • Misskaruhl
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                                    I’m definitely going to try this!! thanks!

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                                Forum BEHAVIOR Nose bump