One of my favorite parts about raising rabbits on our hobby farm is getting to know more about rabbit behavior.
Rabbits are timid, small mammals that can actually be quite assertive when it comes to territory, and they exhibit a whole range of different behaviors that are clues as to how they are feeling and what they are trying to communicate: yawning being one of them.
Yes, Rabbits Do Yawn!
Just like humans, rabbits can and do yawn.
Yawning is an involuntary response that scientists still cannot fully explain, but the reason rabbits exhibit this behavior is believed to be for the same exact reasons behind our own yawns: general tiredness, sleepiness, or relaxation.
In fact, some of the most supported theories for why animals yawn have to do with what happens in the body during and after the yawn:
- Yawning aids in general regulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide intake and output
- Yawning effectively stimulates the facial muscles and the brain
- Yawning assists with basic bodily thermoregulation
Read more about how yawning helps the body from the Sleep Foundation.
What Does It Mean If A Rabbit Yawns
Rabbits will yawn when they are feeling tired or highly relaxed.
Yawning is a way to provide a rush of oxygen to the system, stimulate the nerves and brain, and keep the individual bunny awake and aware.
As natural prey animals, resting while being aware is essential for survival in rabbits!
Do Rabbit Make Noises When They Yawn
Your bunny’s yawn can look quite startling, as it is the only time a rabbit will open its mouth wide and completely, showing off their 28 teeth!
Check out this great video of just what rabbit yawns look like!
Rabbits can make little noises when they yawn as it means they are really feeling quite relaxed, happy and maybe a bit sleepy.
We’ve noticed that our female rabbit Daisy squeaks a bit after yawning and while one of or male rabbits, Louie, tends to kick his feet with his yawn, as if helping himself wake up!
Rabbit Behavior: Rabbit Stretching
You will notice that your rabbits stretch in the morning and throughout the day, sticking their tail up in the air and extending their front paws.
Rabbits will also stick out their hind legs one at a time to the side or back for a nice stretch; our bunnies flap and move their ears when they stretch!
Rabbits stretching is completely normal rabbit behavior, just like yawning, that helps increase blood flow throughout their body after sleeping or sitting still for a while.
We always encourage our rabbits to stretch, sometimes giving them a nice fruit or veggie treat afterwards to welcome them to the day.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Do Rabbits Yawn
Do Rabbits Thump When They Are Hungry?
We have not noticed that our rabbits thump when they are hungry, thumping tends to be more of a territorial and scared response in our bunnies.
If your rabbits are thumping and you don’t know why, read our post on Why Rabbits Thump to get a better idea of why your bunnies may be exhibiting this behavior.
Final Thoughts On Do Rabbits Yawn
Yawning is a completely natural behavior of a healthy and happy rabbit.
Take it as a good sign if your rabbit yawns around you, it means they feel safe and relaxed in your presence!
However, if you catch your rabbit yawning constantly, multiple times per hour, you may want to ensure they have a quite, dark, and private place to sleep and that they are sleeping well; if not, it would be worth it to make a call to your local veterinarian and bring your bunny for a check-up!