Tail up and down

[sarahthegemini]

Just wondering what it means if a bunny lifts it’s tail up and down? 

For context: Both bunnies were sniffing each other’s butts, in a circling motion – I don’t mean nipping/biting/fur pulling type of circling, I just mean mutually sniffing? For about 30 seconds. Buttercup would stop every now and then to ask for grooming or to give herself s quick groom. I stopped them when I noticed Peanut wagging his tail up and down and they were happy to be pet, then Peanut flopped and Buttercup chewed on a toy. Then they did the mutual sniffing again but after about 5 seconds, Buttercup stopped sniffing his butt and groomed the back of his neck.

I’m just confused as everything I’ve read indicates either aggression/about to attack or hormones. Well I don’t think it was aggressive because there were no other body language signs that indicated that, but as for hormones, Peanut is 2 months post neuter…

Also, is this type of mutual sniffing/circling a bad sign? Should I be stopping it? All I read is that all circling should be stopped but as I said, it’s not the biting/nipping or fur pulling circling. I’m very confused. I think it might be courtship but they are both neutered/spayed.

[Azerane]

Circling can be a precursor to mounting or chasing and biting. Tail lifting on top of that I can certainly see being aggressive/domineering/excited behaviour. If Peanut received the response he wanted from Buttercup, there may have been no need to pursue the issue further. How long have they been bonded?

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Azerane on 2/23/2017 1:46 AM

Circling can be a precursor to mounting or chasing and biting. Tail lifting on top of that I can certainly see being aggressive/domineering/excited behaviour. If Peanut received the response he wanted from Buttercup, there may have been no need to pursue the issue further. How long have they been bonded?

I would say they have been bonded officially for a few weeks. No humping or attempted humping has occurred in about 3 weeks. I can definitely see the circling being a pre-lude to mounting along with the excited tail up and down rather than aggression but I’m going to stop any further circling just in case.  

[Gina.Jenny]

The weather has been very spring like, even altered buns can get frisky in the spring!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Gina.Jenny on 2/23/2017 2:35 AM

The weather has been very spring like, even altered buns can get frisky in the spring!

Frisky bunnies  Is the err frisky circling something I should be concerned about? Do they need 24 hour supervision again until they’re over this phase?

[Gina.Jenny]

Gina and Podge have a ‘circling time’ most evenings right now, and I don’t question their bond. I think that while Gina backed down and accepted Podge as top bun, she keeps testing to see that can change. He gets fed up within a few minutes and puts a stop to it, then they settle down side by side, usually Gina will then groom Podge. There is never any fur pulling between them.

With all my buns, there is definitely a behaviour change around this time of year, I’m assuming the lengthening days have something to answer for

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Gina.Jenny on 2/23/2017 3:34 AM

Gina and Podge have a ‘circling time’ most evenings right now, and I don’t question their bond. I think that while Gina backed down and accepted Podge as top bun, she keeps testing to see that can change. He gets fed up within a few minutes and puts a stop to it, then they settle down side by side, usually Gina will then groom Podge. There is never any fur pulling between them.

With all my buns, there is definitely a behaviour change around this time of year, I’m assuming the lengthening days have something to answer for

That’s interesting and quite reassuring actually! Everything else about their behaviour is great altho I don’t think they groom each other as much. They still lay together and snuggle. I’m just worried that Peanut’s intense sniffing and whatnot is going to cause tension between them as Buttercup doesn’t like it (if the sniffing doesn’t lead to circling, Buttercup usually hops sway) I’m also conflicted because on the bonding section I’ve been told to stop the circling which makes me nervous about them being unsupervised. 

[Gina.Jenny]

With Podge and Gina, I know Podge can and will stop Gina any time he wants, so I leave them to work it out themselves. If Buttercup has no problem moving away, then I would just keep an eye on things. Your two are still quite young, and its not surprising they are still ‘fine tuning’ the pecking order between them! Its the start of a lifelong negotiation!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Gina.Jenny on 2/23/2017 4:10 AM

With Podge and Gina, I know Podge can and will stop Gina any time he wants, so I leave them to work it out themselves. If Buttercup has no problem moving away, then I would just keep an eye on things. Your two are still quite young, and its not surprising they are still ‘fine tuning’ the pecking order between them! Its the start of a lifelong negotiation!

Thank you. I’m not as worried about the sniffing when Buttercup hops away ‘cos after a few attempts, Peanut gives up anyway and all is fine. It’s just this circling I guess that makes me uncomfortable, I mean usually Buttercup will put a stop to it simply by not continuing to sniff Peanut and then of course because she’s no longer following his tail, they’re no longer circling. It just makes my heart race. I kind of feel something bad is going to happen because the bonding seemed too easy.

[sarahthegemini]

I’ve just been reading up on spring time bunny behaviour and it is fascinating! I’m feeling more confident that it’s spring time causing this influx of courtship behaviour rather than a step back in bonding them. I’m going to keep an eye on them and stop any circling and hopefully in a couple of weeks this phase will have calmed down.

[Gamestar32]

Scooter lifts his tail up and down sometimes when I pet him, but he’ll also lick my arm while he does this so I never attributed it to any kind of negative response. He licks the floor sometimes as well. He is not bonded with any other rabbit.

[Wick & Fable]

Wick some times puts his tail down to try and counter-balance himself when he’s peeking over a ledge… not sure he realizes his tail does not weigh anything. It’s cute to see, but a fruitless attempt to maintain balance. Wick also moves his tail actively when he’s sniffing on the ground for food.

Wick seems to move his tail like how people kick their leg in air; at random times, usually when your mind is pre-occupied with something.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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