bunny language: what is your rabbit saying

As you spend time with your rabbit, you will soon notice that they make a variety of noises, and exhibit a wide range of seemingly strange behaviour.

These could indicate anything from happy contentment to severe pain.

By learning what these sounds and gestures mean, not only will you have a better idea of your rabbit's state of health, you will also greatly improve the enjoyment you get from your bunny.

Below are some examples of rabbit noises and body languge, and their possible meaning.

rabbit noises

Soft grinding of the teeth. Your rabbit is happy.
Loud grinding of the teeth. Your rabbit is in pain (take to the vet).
Muttering. Your rabbit is unhappy or angry.
Growling or hissing. Your rabbit is very angry and feels threatened. It usually precedes an attack (leave it alone to calm down).
Loud squealing. Your rabbit is either very frightened or in extreme pain (take to the vet).
Clucking. Sounds like hiccups. Your bunny is very contented, often heard when your rabbit is dozing.

rabbit body language

Thumping the back feet. This generally means your rabbit is frightened, it could also mean it is angry, especially if you have a bossy bunny.
Lightly pushing you with their nose. Your rabbit is saying hello.
Forcefully pushing you with their nose. Your rabbit is telling you to go away, may also nip you.
Rubbing their chin on things. Your rabbit is saying this is mine, by leaving their scent, which we can't smell.
Rolling onto their back. Your rabbit feels safe and happy.
Licking you or the ground while being groomed. Your rabbit is enjoying the experience and wants you to continue.
Briefly shaking their ears when being groomed or petted. Your rabbit is telling you it has had enough fuss, and can you leave it alone.
Lying flat on the ground, with ears folded back. Something has frightened your rabbit.
Scratching the ground. This could just be your rabbit being a rabbit, it could also mean that it is bored or needs the toilet.
Pushing out their bottom and lifting the tail. Your rabbit is about to go to the toilet.
Pointing the head forward with tail extended and ears forward. Something has caught your rabbits interest, but it is unsure about investigating.
Pointing the head forward with tail extended and ears folded back. Your rabbit is angry and about to attack.
Bobbing of head up and down. Your rabbit is judging the distance of an object. Their eye positioning gives them a poor depth of field and this is how they over come this.
Binkying. Racing about, usually accompanied with jumps and twists in the air. Yippee! Your rabbit is having a great time letting off steam.
Rushing about with straw in its mouth. Your rabbit is either pregnant or thinks she is. If you know your rabbit is not pregnant, don't worry false pregnances are very common, especially rabbits that have not been spayed.
Running around in circles. Your rabbit is very excited. It could be that it wants to mate, but it could easily be that they are excited because it is feeding time.
Digging. "Come on, what do you expect, I'm a rabbit!"