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Forum BEHAVIOR What are examples of dominant and submissive behaviours?

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    • Annabel93
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        I noticed today when I was watching my bunnies that as one, Bill, was sat up grooming himself, one of the others, Ted, came and snuggled his head underneath Bill like he was trying to hide between his front legs. I know from reading some threads on here that licking the top of another rabbit’s head is dominant behaviour? The snuggling under Bill led to him grooming Ted’s head, so he was that Ted being submissive?

        And what are some other dominant and submissive behaviours? Do groups of rabbits have top…rabbit.., like dogs do? I’d be intrigued to know which one of mine is the leader. The only other possibly dominant behaviour I’ve seen is Bill stealing leaves out of the other two’s mouths so perhaps he’s top rabbit.


      • LBJ10
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          Ted came to bill and presented himself for grooming? If Ted asks (demands) to be groomed, then this is considered a dominance display. If the other rabbit agrees to groom him, then this is a submissive display. Is Ted necessarily dominant over Bill? Perhaps. From my experience though, dominance in rabbits is not black and white. There is a lot of gray area in between. So either rabbit can display dominant or submissive behaviors.

          Humping is a dominant behavior. If the other rabbit accepts it, then they are being submissive.
          Pushing is a dominant behavior, particularly if it is make sure they get something first. The other rabbit may or may not push back.


        • Annabel93
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            Ahhh ok! I think there probably isn’t a definite leader then. Bill occasionally tries to hump the other 2 but they run off. I’ve not seen any of them push each other, although they try to push me sometimes…


          • LBJ10
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              Mine will push and shove. Example – I am petting Wooly’s head. Leopold comes over and says “hey! you’re supposed to pet my head” and he will push Wooly away from my hand and try to stick his head in there for pets.


            • Annabel93
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                Ah yeah mine do that. They also push me if I’m sat in their way. Apparently walking around me is too difficult.


              • Annabel93
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                  Another question I can just ask here without starting a new thread: Do rabbits make any sounds other than grindy teeth etc? I’m sat in bed and my rabbits are chilling out in their pen, and I can hear a little squeaky oinky sound. I can’t tell if it’s an animal outside or if it’s them?


                • LBJ10
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                    Sounds like honking to me. For many buns, they honk when they are “in love”. Even spayed/neutered buns will honk though. I have heard people on BB say their buns will honk when they eat because they are excited.


                  • Dobby
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                      Pip snores when he is sleeping but only when he’s positioned a certain way. Could they be snoring?

                      You can google rabbits snoring to hear it and compare to what your guys are doing.


                    • Annabel93
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                        I searched honking on youtube and it’s exactly the same as this rabbit so I assume that’s what it is!

                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=309VRAG5XsA

                        Glad it’s that because now I can find it adorable rather than worry if there’s something wrong with them haha.


                      • Rufus
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                          I’m so glad I read this! Rufus makes that exact noise when I pick him up sometimes. I was worried that I was somehow squeezing him or something because it sounds a bit like a very quiet squeaky toy. I have a bit of a funny bun though because he seems to love being picked up. Whenever he sees me he stands on his back legs like he’s begging to be picked up, as soon as he’s in my arms he tooth purrs and snuggles under my chin. He also likes to sit with his front paws on my shoulder and look behind me while I carry him around. Weird little guy. the only thing that ever worried me is the occassional little squeak and now I know that’s more likely to mean he’s feeling cheerful.


                        • manic_muncher
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                            Rufus, I’m so jealous! Bumpy stand up like he really wants me to pick him up, but I’ve figured out he’s just begging for raisins.

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                        Forum BEHAVIOR What are examples of dominant and submissive behaviours?