Tips and more | bunnies-on-the-hill

TIPS AND STUFF

FACTS ABOUT RABBITS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

1. A FEMALE RABBIT IS CALLED A DOE, A MALE IS CALLED A BUCK, AND A BABY IS A KIT

2. A RABBIT CAN LIVE AS LONG AS 10 YEARS

3. A RABBITS TAIL IS CALLED A "SCUT"

4. RABBITS ARE NOT RODENTS AND THEY DO NOT HIBERNATE

5. THERE ARE OVER 150 DIFFERENT COAT COLORS AND ONLY 5 OF EYE COLORS

6. RABBITS HAVE 18 TOENAILS- 8 ON THE BACK AND 10 ON THE FRONT

7. YOU CAN LITTER TRAIN YOUR BUNNY

8. THE ONLY PLACE A RABBIT CAN SWEAT IS THROUGH THE PADS ON THEIR FEET

9. RABBITS CANNOT VOMIT

10. RABBITS CAN JUMP 36" OR HIGHER AND RUN 35 MPH

11. RABBITS CAN SEE BEHIND THEM BUT HAVE A BLINDSPOT IN FRONT OF THEIR FACE

12. RABBITS ARE NEARSIGHTED

13. RABBITS CAN ONLY BREATHE THROUGH THEIR NOSES

14. RABBITS CAN SLEEP WITH THEIR EYES OPEN (IF NOSE IS MOVING THEY ARE AWAKE BUT IF IT IS NOT MOVING THEY ARE ASLEEP)

15. RABBITS TWITCH THEIR NOSES 20-120 TIMES PER MINUTE (FASTER IF STRESSED AND

SLOWER IF RELAXED)

16. A 4 LB. RABBIT CAN DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS A 20 LB. DOG

17. RABBITS HAVE 28 TEETH THAT NEVER STOP GROWING. THEY CHEW WOOD TO GRIND

THEM OR FILE THEM DOWN

18. WHEN HAPPY, RABBITS MAKE A PURRING SOUND AND GRIND THEIR TEETH LIGHTLY

19. THE SMALLEST KIND OF RABBITS ARE NETHERLAND DWARFS, 2 LBS.

20. THE LARGEST KIND OF RABBITS ARE FLEMISH GIANTS, 22 LBS.

21. THE WORLDS LARGEST RABBIT IS NAMED DARIUS AND WEIGHS APPROX. 50 LBS.

22. RABBITS LICK EACH OTHER AND HUMANS AS A SIGN OF AFFECTION

23. WHEN BUNNIES ARE HAPPY THEY RUN, JUMP AND TWIST- THIS IS CALLED A BINKY

24. THE LARGEST LITTERS RECORDED WERE IN 1978 AND 1999- 24 BABIES

25. RABBITS USUALLY HAVE 1-12 KITS IN A LITTER

26. THE LONGEST LIVING RABBIT WAS 19 YEARS OLD

27. RABBITS EAT THEIR OWN NIGHT POOPS CALLED CECOTROPES- THEY LOOK LIKE

SMALL GRAPE CLUSTERS AND ARE FILLED WITH NUTRIENTS

28. RABBIT POO IS A GOOD GARDEN FERTILIZER

29. RABBITS CAN RECOGNIZE YOUR VOICE AND HAVE GOOD MEMORIES

30. RABBITS CAN CHEW 120 TIMES A MINUTE AND HAVE 17,000 TASTE BUDS- WE HAVE

7,000

31. RABBITS HAVE 3 SETS OF EYELIDS

32. DOMESTIC RABBITS CANNOT BREED WITH WILD RABBITS

33. RABBITS NEED TO EAT LOTS OF HAY TO ASSIST THEIR DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS

AND HELP PREVENT HAIRBALLS IN THEIR STOMACHS

34. RABBITS CAN MOVE THEIR EARS INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER TO HEAR

APPROACHING DANGER--BUNNY RADAR

35. RABBITS DO NOT NEED VACCINATED

RABBIT BEHAVIOR

YOUR BUNNY WILL HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ACTIONS THAT SHOW HIS/HER PERSONALITY. HERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF SOME BEHAVIOR TRAITS YOU MAY NOTICE:

BUNNY FLOPPY- WHEN YOUR RABBIT ROLLS OR FLOPS OVER ON ITS SIDE OR BACK. THIS MEANS IT IS VERY CONTENT AND SECURE.

BUNNY BINKYING- WHEN YOUR RABBIT PERFORMS A SERIES OF JUMPS, TWISTS AND RUNS THIS IS A BINKY. THIS IS A SIGN OF HAPPINESS. IT IS VERY FUNNY TO SEE!

BUNNY NUDGING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY NUDGES YOUR HAND OR FOOT THIS USUALLY MEANS HE WANTS FOOD OR YOUR ATTENTION.

BUNNY CHINNING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY RUBS HIS/HER CHIN ON OBJECTS OR YOU. BUNNIES HAVE SCENT GLANDS THERE AND DO THIS TO MARK THEIR TERRITORY OR WHAT IS THEIRS. (EVEN YOU!)

BUNNY CHEWING- BUNNIES CHEW CONSTANTLY BECAUSE THEIR TEETH ALWAYS GROW AND NEED TO BE GRINDED OR FILED DOWN. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO CHEW ON LIKE WOOD OR HARD PLASTIC.

BUNNY DIGGING- THIS IS PART OF THEIR NATURE SO NATURALLY THEY WILL WANT TO DIG. GIVE THEM PLENTY OF THINGS TO DIG ON LIKE A BOX OR OLD BLANKET.

BUNNY THUMPING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY TAPS HIS HIND FOOT OFF THE FLOOR. THEY DO THIS AS A SIGN OF DANGER OR DISPLEASURE OR SIMPLY IF THEY ARE ANGRY OR ANNOYED..BUNNIES HAVE ATTITUDES!

BUNNY PERISCOPING- THIS IS WHEN YOUR BUNNY SITS UP ON ITS HIND FEET TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF IT'S SURROUNDINGS OR TO REACH FOR A SNACK. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS STANDING UP.

BUNNY TIP-TOEING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY CROUCHES AND TIPTOES WITH ITS EARS FORWARD. THEY DO THIS WHEN THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS OR JUST CHECKING OUT SOMETHING NEW. THEY ARE CURIOUS BY NATURE.

BUNNY DANCING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY RUNS AROUND AND AROUND YOU OR ONE OF ITS PALS THIS IS A SIGN OF AFFECTION, THE DANCE OF LOVE...USUALLY ALONG WITH LITTLE BUNNY LOVE NIPS. IT IS EXPRESSING ITS FEELINGS FOR YOU.

BUNNY GRUNTING- WHEN A BUNNY MAKES A GRUNTING NOISE WHILE PLAYING THEY ARE HAPPY OR EVEN WHEN THEY DANCE AROUND YOU. ALSO WHEN THEY ARE FEELING THREATENED OR CORNERED THEY GRUNT TO WARN THAT MAY ATTACK.

BUNNY PURRING- A BUNNY MAKES A PURRING NOISE BY LIGHTLY GRINDING ITS TEETH. THIS MEANS IT IS HAPPY LIKE A PURRING CAT. IF THE BUNNY IS MAKING A LOUND CRUNCHING NOISE WHILE GRINDING ITS TEETH AND LOOKS UNCOMFORTABLE, THIS IS A SIGN OF PAIN. IF IT SQUEALS LOUDLY IT IS SCARED OR IN PAIN.

BUNNY FLATTENING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY LIES FLAT ON THE GROUND WITH ITS EARS BACK THEY ARE TRYING TO HIDE FROM SOMETHING THAT SCARES THEM OR THEY ARE GIVING IN TO YOU.

BUNNY NAPPING- BUNNIES USUALLY DO MOST OF THEIR SLEEPING DURING THE DAY. WHEN THEY NAP THEY WILL SLEEP WITH THEIR EYES OPEN AT TIMES. IF THEIR NOSE ISN'T MOVING THEY ARE REALLY ASLEEP. THEY ARE MOST ACTIVE IN THE EARLY MORNING AND EVENINGS. THIS IS WHEN THEY DO A LOT OF BUNNY BINKYS!

BUNNY LICKING- WHEN YOUR BUNNY LICKS YOU IT IS SHOWING YOU IT FULLY ACCEPTS YOU AND

LOVES YOU COMPLETELY

MORE FUN....

BUNNIES LOVE TO PLAY AND THEY NEED LOTS OF THINGS TO KEEP THEM BUSY! HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR SOME TOYS YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF OR ARE VERY AFFORDABLE......

1. TOILET PAPER OR PAPER TOWEL ROLLS. STUFF THEM FULL OF HAY AND A CARROT OR

OTHER TREATS AND THEY WILL ROLL THEM ALL OVER.

2. BABY RATTLES AND TOYS MADE OF HARD PLASTIC ONLY

3. LAUNDRY DETERGENT LIDS AND SUCH (CLEANED)

4. WOODEN TOY BLOCKS

5. EMPTY POP BOTTLES WITH SOMETHING SMALL INSIDE TO MAKE NOISE WHEN THE

BUNNY ROLLS IT. ( ONLY PUT SAFE FOR BUNNY THINGS INSIDE)

6. OLD PHONE BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FOR THEM TO SHRED...THEY LOVE IT!

7. TAKE AN EMPTY KLEENEX BOX AND FILL IT WITH HAY AND HIDE LITTLE TREATS

AND SURPRISES INSIDE ( BUNNY SURPRISE BOX!)

8. GET PLASTIC TOY BALLS FOR CATS WITH BELLS INSIDE. THEY WILL ROLL THEM

OR YOU CAN HANG THEM FROM THEIR CAGES

9. HANG A TOY SLINKY FROM THE TOP OF THEIR CAGES AND THEY WILL PULL ON THEM

AND GO BACKWARDS AND LET GO.....FUNNY!

10. FILL AN OLD SOCK WITH HOLES UP WITH HAY, OATS, PELLETS OR SUCH AND HANG IT

FROM THEIR CAGE....THIS BRINGS THEM A LOT OF FUN

11. TOYS THAT HANG WITH WOODEN PARTS AND BELLS ARE GOOD TO HANG FROM

BUNNIES CAGE

12. YOU CAN TAKE YOUR BUNNY FOR A WALK WITH A SPECIAL LEASH/HARNESS THEY

MAKE ESPECIALLY FOR BUNNIES- THEY LOVE TO HOP ABOUT AND EXPLORE

13. WASH AND SAVE YOUR WOODEN POPSICKLE AND CORNDOG STICKS FOR THEM TO

CHEW ON

14. CARDBOARD BOXES MAKE GOOD HIDING PLACES FOR BUNNIES TO PLAY IN. CUT

OUT WINDOWS AND DOORS LIKE LITTLE HOUSES- BE CREATIVE...

IDEAS TO KEEP BUNNIES COOL IN THE HEAT.....

1. MAKE SURE YOUR BUNNY ALWAYS HAS PLENTY OF AIR AND VENTILATION AND IS NEVER IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT AND CAN HAVE A HEAT STROKE...AND GIVE THEM PLENTY OF COLD WATER!

2. GIVE THEM FROZEN BOTTLES OF WATER IN THEIR CAGES. YOU CAN USE POP BOTTLES, ECT....THEY WILL LAY ON THEM AND PLAY WITH THEM WHILE THEY KEEP COOL. WE CALL THEM OUR "BUNNY AIR CONDITIONING!" (YOU CAN WRAP THE BOTTLES IN BLANKETS IF YOU WANT FOR THEM TO LAY ON)

4. WET THE BUNNY'S EARS WITH COLD WATER. THE EARS REGULATE THE HEAT IN BUNNIES. USE A SRAY BOTTLE OR WET TOWEL. ALSO USE THE SPRAY BOTTLE TO LIGHTLY MIST THE BUNNY'S FACE AND EARS TO COOL IT DOWN. THE EXTRA FURRY BUNNIES ESPECIALLY NEED THIS.

5. YOU CAN GIVE THEM WET TOWELS OR SHEETS TO LAY ON

6. PUT ICE CUBES IN BOWLS AND THEY WILL LICK THEM, OR IN BOWLS OF WATER

7. FREEZE ICE TRAYS OF WATER WITH LITTLE TREATS LIKE GRAPES OR RAISONS INSIDE. THEY GET A KICK OUT OF THESE!

8. FREEZE UNSWEETED DILUTED APPLE JUICE IN ICE TRAYS TOO...YUMMY TREATS THEY LOVE!

9. FREEZE FRUITS SUCH AS BANANA SLICES AND GRAPES AND GIVE THEM TO THEM LIKE FROZEN TREATS. IT'S LIKE EATING ICE CREAM TO US...DON'T LEAVE THEM TO LONG THOUGH. IF THEY DON'T FINISH, REMOVE PROMPTLY

10. WET THEIR FRESH GREENS WHEN YOU FEED THEM TO THEM....THE WATER COOLS THEM

11. USE FANS WHEN YOU CAN. SIMPLE BOX FANS WILL WORK......

MAKE A GARDEN FOR YOU AND YOUR BUNIES...

A GREAT WAY TO GIVE YOUR BUNNIES VEGGIES IS TO MAKE A BUNNY FRIENDLY GARDEN. IF YOU HAVE LIMITED SPACE YOU CAN GROW PLANTS IN CONTAINERS, POTS, ECT. ALSO YOU CAN BUILD A SMALL BED TO PLANT YOUR GARDEN IN.

THINGS YOU CAN PLANT THAT ARE SAFE FOR BUNNy:

1. RASPBERRIES~ THEY GET THE LEAVES AND YOU GET THE BERRIES

2. CARROTS~ ALTHOUGH HARD TO GROW

3. LETTUCE- ROMAINE, COLLARD GREENS, KALE, SPINICH---DARK GREENS

4. RAW SWEET POTATOES~ IN MODERATION, EXAMPLE- FEED 2 WEEKS ON AND 2 WEEKS OFF

5. TOMATOES

6. SWEET PEPPERS

7. BLACKBERRIES

8. STRAWBERRIES~ THESE ARE GOOD TO GROW IN HANGING BASKETS

9. HERBS~ ROSEMARY, OREANO, PARSLEY, BASIL, DILL, SAGE, CHAMOMILE,

CALENDULA, CILANTRO, MARJORAM, MINT---BEST PLANTED IN CONTAINERS BECAUSE IT

TAKES OVER