bunny's photo

Bunny Kingdom

All designed for bunny lovers and breeders.

Author: Yujia


Index

  1. Why petting a bunny?
  2. Breeds of Bunnies in Australia
  3. Do you understand bunnies' behaviors?
  4. How to pick your bunny?

Why petting a bunny?

They are quiet.

The fact that bunnies make little to no noise is perfect, if you live in an apartment building or have nearby neighbors.

They have personalities plus.

People who have never had a rabbit as a pet don’t realize that rabbits actually have very distinct personalities. These animals can be charming, affectionate and very interactive.

They bond closely with owners.

Bunnies recognize their owners by voice and sight and will even come on command. They may even follow their owners from room to room and jump up on their laps when called.

They need less space than other pets.

If you live in a small house or apartment and you’re looking for a cuddly pet who doesn’t require a lot of space and doesn’t need to be walked, a rabbit may be right for you.

They are easily trained.

Using the principles of positive reinforcement training, rabbit owners can encourage their pets to learn certain behaviors repeatedly rewarding them with special treats when they perform these behaviors.

They are long-lived.

Pet rabbits, when housed indoors and cared for properly, can live eight to 12 years or even longer. Long life span is an attraction for many people looking for small non-cat/non-dog pets.

They come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Given that there are more than 50 recognized rabbit breeds that vary in size, coat color, length and texture, there is a bunny breed for everyone.

They are easy to rescue.

There are so many abandoned bunnies given up to rabbit shelters every year that rescuing a needy rabbit is a relatively easy thing to do.

They are clean.

They can easily be litterbox-trained and will generally keep themselves very clean with frequent grooming.

They are definitely cute.

Can you think of a cuter pet than a fuzzy little bunny?

Breeds of Bunnies in Australia

The breeds listed below are popular in Australia.

Do you understand bunnies' behaviors?

Binky

A rabbit will binky when it feels really happy or excited. Binkying looks like a large jump in the air while the rabbit slightly twists its body and head at the same time. A binky can also look like a sharp flick of its head accompanied by a small ear wiggle. A rabbit that feels safe and secure in its home is more likely to binky around.

You cannot teach your rabbit to binky as it is an inherent behavior. Rather, a rabbit will only binky when it feels like it. Additionally, a rabbit will have its own likes and dislikes when it comes to foods, toys, and ways of playing with you and other rabbits.

Ear Shaking

This is when a rabbit’s shakes their head to make their ears flop around a little. There are three reasons rabbits might do this.

  1. They are happy. Sometimes this is a mini binky and your rabbit is twitching their head to show they are happy. If your rabbit is happily running around and exploring, that’s usually what a little shake of their ears means.
  2. They are swatting your hand away. If you are reaching for your rabbit and trying to pet them, but they shake their ears as your hand gets close, they are probably trying to tell you they are not interested in being pet right now.
  3. They have itchy ears. If your rabbit shakes their head a number of times and then starts scratching at their ears, it means the ears are itchy.

Zooming

This is when the rabbit races in circles, or figure eights, around the room over and over again. It means your rabbit is very happy and excited and they’re just full of energy. You might even see a few binkies as they zoom their way around the room.

Teemo usually zoom when I let him wander around in the living room, because sometimes I would go campus to study, so the opportunity for him to run is rare and precious! (Sorry Teemo)

Purring

Did you know rabbits can purr? Okay, it’s not exactly the same as a cat’s purring. But if you listen very closely when you pet your rabbit, you might hear them softly grinding their teeth together. And if you put your hand on top of their head, you’ll be able to feel a slight vibration. This is what rabbits do when they are happy and content. It means the same thing as a cat’s purring.

I really enjoy feeling Teemo purring, cause I know he is enjoying my gentle stroking too.😊

Grooming

This is the cutest thing you will ever see. Rabbits groom themselves all over. You’ll see them turning all the way around to groom their backside. And you’ll also see them use their little paws to clean their face and ears.

Rabbit cleaning habits are mesmerizing to watch. They are actually very clean creatures, and will spend a lot of their time grooming.

After grooming, bunnies would become fluffy, that's so cuuuuute!!!😊

Sprawling

This is when a rabbit is laying down on their side or belly, but is not completely flopped over. This is exactly what it looks like, your rabbit is getting comfortable. Sometimes they’ll even put their head down on their paws and look super cute while they sleep.

Like flopping, sprawling is a good indication that your rabbit trusts you. Basically any point when your rabbits back feet aren’t solidly on the ground, it means your rabbit feels safe. A rabbit’s best defense is their ability to run away. When rabbits puts themselves in a position where they have to get up before running away, it’s a big indicator that they see you as a friend, not a threat.

Flopping

A rabbit flop can actually look a little scary for new rabbit owners, but it doesn’t have to be. Flopping is when rabbits throw themselves onto their side and sleep. Sometimes they even roll all the way onto their back.

This is actually really adorable, and it’s a sign that the rabbit feels completely safe. But it can be startling if you’re not used to it, because it kind of looks like the rabbit is dead. But if you watch them closely, you’ll see your rabbit is breathing.

If you’re a new rabbit owner and you see your rabbit laying on their side like this, don’t worry! This is a sign your rabbit trusts you completely. Congratulations!

Loafing

Loafing is when your rabbit fluffs up into a ball and looks like a loaf of bread. This is generally a comfortable position for rabbits and they’ll often sleep in this position, especially in the colder months.

This is a neutral position for a rabbit. They are not in a ready-to-run stance, but it’s also an easy position for a rabbit to dash out of and make a run for it if they get scared. But don’t worry if your rabbit seems to prefer sleeping in a loaf instead of sprawling or flopping. Many rabbits are just more comfortable this way.

How to pick YOUR bunny?

There are 8 questions you should ask your breeder before buying a bunny.

1. What breed is the rabbit?

This might seem like an obvious question, especially if you visit a breeder specializing in one breed. It’s always a good idea to double-check, though. Some non-reputable breeders will pass off look-alike rabbits as pedigree.

2. Is the rabbit socialized?

Depending on why you’re buying a rabbit, whether it’s for breeding, showing, or a family pet, asking about their socialization will tell you what to expect from your bunny. Some breeders don’t interact with their stock, and the rabbits will be timid and unsure around people and other animals as a result.

If you have children, other pets, or both, it’s important to make sure your new rabbit will be at ease around them. Not only will your newest family member be more comfortable around you, but they’ll also settle into their new home much faster.

3. Does the rabbit have a pedigree?

A family pet doesn’t necessarily need a pedigree or proof of lineage, especially if you have no plans to take your rabbit to competitions. However, if you do plan to take your rabbit to shows or even start your own in-home breeder business, you’ll need to prove that your rabbit comes from good stock.

Pedigree paperwork is an official way of claiming a certain bloodline. It proves that your rabbit comes from a long line of ancestors of the same breed. For shows and breeding registered pedigree rabbits, these papers are essential.

Make sure your breeder keeps the pedigree documentation for their stock. They should include the paperwork with the price of your new rabbit.

4. How much will the rabbit cost?

Pedigree animals are always more expensive than mixed breeds. They’re highly sought after and backed by official directories that hold breeds to a particular standard and ensure that bloodlines aren’t tampered with.

You should know how much your new rabbit will cost before visiting so you don’t get blindsided, but it’s always a good idea to double-check before agreeing to pay anything.

The cost of your rabbit will vary depending on age, breed, quality, and sex. Remember, reputable breeders include veterinary expenses, pedigree papers, and often a health guarantee in their asking price. Prices can range from anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and anything surprisingly cheap should give you pause.

5. How long has the breeder been raising rabbits?

An inexperienced breeder doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not serious about their work. However, a more experienced breeder — with a history full of raising rabbits, if not breeding them — will be more familiar with the animal and the breed.

They’ll have a working knowledge of common issues of caring for rabbits. If it’s your first time looking after rabbits, an experienced breeder will give you advice on how best to take care of your newest family member.

6. What food does the breeder use?

Asking what food the breeder uses serves two purposes. For new rabbit owners, it’ll give you an idea of what to feed your new rabbit. Breeders worth their weight in gold will only choose high-quality food that will give their rabbits the nutrients and minerals that they need, along with ensuring a balanced diet.

More experienced rabbit owners can use this question to find out if the rabbits in the breeder’s care are given proper meals. If a breeder turns out to be feeding their rabbits food that will cause them harm, it may cause long-lasting health issues down the line.

7. How big will the rabbit grow?

Asking the breeder, particularly one who’s been breeding rabbits for years, will give you more insight into your new pet’s ancestry. They’ll be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how large your rabbit will be.

This particular question is also important due to any space constrictions at home. If you accidentally buy a giant ball of fur instead of a dwarf rabbit for your one-bedroom apartment, you may find yourself struggling to fit them into your home.

8. When is the rabbit’s birthday?

Instead of asking how old the rabbit is, which can lead to unsatisfactory and vague responses, try asking for the rabbit’s birthday. Breeders keep detailed records of every part of the breeding process, including birth records.

Knowing the rabbit's birthday will tell you two things: