I never owned any pets in my life (minus the occasional fish here and there), but I have always loved animals, particularly dogs (and cats being a close second). In my 22 years of life, I never met someone who owned a rabbit. That changed when I started dating my girlfriend this fall, and was introduced to her Dutch rabbit, Luna. My girlfriend won her last year at the Allen County Fair in Lima, OH. She is a very curious and sassy rabbit, and always likes to get into trouble.
I was very curious about the nature of rabbits: how they interacted with humans, their mannerisms, and their quirks. After conducting some research and making some careful observations, I found some pretty interesting characteristics of rabbits.
1. Rabbits are NOT dogs OR cats.
For all of you saying "Thanks, Captain Obvious," let me explain. Rabbits are not keen on following instructions or listening to commands. They'll stop doing something if you make a loud sound or give them a tap on the backside or nose, but they won't stop simply by saying "Stop." This is why they are not like dogs. At the same time, however, they are not as independent as cats. They still want attention and like to be held, but when they're done, they'll squirm and hop away. You can let rabbits out of their cage and they'll roam and be okay, but they can still get into trouble. So overall, they seem more like cats to me.
2. Rabbits have their own personalities.
Just like any other animal, rabbits have their own personalities and traits that set them apart from others. Luna tends to be a very sassy rabbit. She "sorts" through her food, eating what she wants and moving what she doesn't like to the bottom of the cage. If she is on the couch with you and you are in her way, she'll nibble at your clothes or on your leg until you move. When it's time for her to go in her cage, she'll scamper away and hide under a chair or couch so you can't reach her. On some occasions, it's taken me and my girlfriend over 15 minutes to get Luna out of hiding and into her cage. She is definitely a "Queen B."
3. Rabbits have their own way of expressing themselves.
Just like dogs and cats have their own way of expressing happiness, fear, and everything in between so do rabbits. When they are happy, they do what is called "binkying." They will randomly jump in the air and twist their body around. This is the ultimate sign of content and happiness. If they feel threatened, they grunt, which almost sounds like a growl. Rabbits also tend to dig into objects that they want to get into. Luna likes to dig into the couch cushions all the time, but my girlfriend always stops her (even though it's cute to watch!). When they want attention and affection, they'll stand by you and hop up next to you.
Rabbits are definitely interesting creatures. They do more than just eat, sleep, and poop. They are affectionate and curious mammals that like to explore and camp out in places where they feel safe. They don't require as much attention as a dog, but still crave affection like any other animal. It takes a decent amount of responsibility and maturity to take care for a rabbit, but in the end, it's worth it.
