Staring In Rabbits
Many new rabbit owners may find common rabbit behavior confusing, especially because a bunny’s behavior is very different from that of other common pets such as dogs or cats, and cannot be interpreted the same.
So why does my rabbit stare at me? And what do some other common behaviors of rabbits mean?
Staring is actually a very common rabbit behavior that all healthy rabbits exhibit. Although it may seem surprising, staring is quite normal and can happen for a number of reasons.
A Safe Rabbits Stare
If your rabbit stares at you with half closed eyes and relaxed ears while sitting with their paws underneath their body or all spread out, your bunny feels very safe with you and is completely relaxed in your presence.
A Scared Rabbit Stare
When rabbits are scared or feel threatened they will stare at you wide eyed while breathing heavily and tensing their body.
This allows them to assess the danger they perceive and make a split decision to bolt or stay.
In these situations it is important to eliminate any loud or sudden noises, avoid direct eye contact with your rabbits (when scared they can feel more threatened by direct eye contact), and limit any sudden movements.
Allow your rabbit to relax and reestablish a sense of security and safety before getting close and trying to pet them soothingly.
A Hungry Rabbit Stare
Rabbits can also stare at you when they are hungry. This is especially true if they come closer to you while sniffing, as if searching for food; in this case you can feel free to offer them some hay or their favorite rabbit-safe veggie.
Sleeping Rabbit Stare
There are many times that you may think your rabbit is staring but they are actually sleeping!
This is because rabbits often sleep with their eyes open. This is an ability that all rabbits have and is a natural way to protect themselves while resting.
A sleeping rabbit with eyes open will have their paws tucked under their body, exhibit limited nose movement, have their ears laying back on their head, and will be breathing slowly.
Learn more about rabbit eyesight in our Rabbit Vision post.
Why Does My Rabbit Stare At Me While Eating
Bunnies are natural prey animals and have developed to be hyper aware of their surroundings.
So if you rabbit stares at you while eating, they are simply following their instincts to monitor their surroundings and any large animals within it!
How Do You Tell If Your Rabbit Likes You
The primary way to know if your rabbit likes you is if they come up to you when you come near to them, even if they are still in their hutch or house.
They may act excited, grunting gently a bit or wiggling their nose and ears a lot (this is the common behavior of one of our rabbits when my youngest son heads out to spend time with them!).
Another way to know your rabbit likes you is if they rest in your arms or your lap. This means your rabbit feels happy and safe with you and wants to spend time with you.
Why Does My Rabbit Run Away From Me
Rabbits run away from anything they consider to be threatening.
So if you bunny skirts away when you come near, it is because they do not yet feel safe with you and do not consider you to be a friend.
This has happened with a few of our rabbits when extended family members come to visit.
We simply tell them to be patient and move slowly around rabbits, giving at least a day for the bunny to know and recognize their scent and look. This is key, especially if you have a new bunny!
If you do not rush them, they will learn to trust you and will feel safe around you.
Bunny Friends: Why Do Rabbits Stare At Each Other
Rabbits often stare at each other throughout the day to signify that they feel completely safe and trusting of each other. This is especially true if two rabbits relax or eat together.
However, if two of your rabbits are staring at each other while grunting, thumping or tensing their body, they are not on good terms and may fight each other.
When this happens between some of our more territorial does, we calmly remove them from each other’s eyesight and allow them to calm down.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Why Does My Bunny Stare At Me
Do Wild Rabbits Stare?
Yes, just like their domestic counterparts, wild rabbits practice very similar staring behaviors farm or pet bunnies.
Why Does My Rabbit Keep Looking At Me?
Your rabbit could be looking at you for a number of different reasons, including all of the ones mentioned above as well as genuine curiosity.
Final Thoughts on Bunnies Staring
Rabbit behavior is unique and cannot be interpreted the same way as other common pet or farm animals’ behaviors.
And as a responsible rabbit raiser, it is very important to understand just what rabbit behavior means, as noticing the changes and differences in your bunnies behavior is usually the first key to knowing when they are ill or unhappy.