That rabbits jump is nothing new and everyone knows it. Just by looking at the body of a rabbit, it can be assumed or deduced that this animal must be a great jumper. Genetics and evolution have led this species down that path. Rabbits' strong hind limbs and smaller forelimbs, coupled with their overall light body weight, have transformed them into animal jumping athletes.
In this article on our site, we will answer the question of why does my rabbit jump like crazy, explaining it from the two points of possible view: the physical or organic and the behavioral.
Why do wild rabbits jump?
Physically, rabbits jump because they have an entire osteomuscular structure adapted and prepared to move quickly by jumping, with the main purpose of quick escapeof a situation that could put their lives at risk. Thus, in the wild, wild rabbits jump for two reasons:
To escape from some predator
As we said, rabbits by nature jump mainly to escape predators The fact that they have such large hind legs also allows them to change quickly and agilely steering in the race, which is very useful to avoid being caught by a predator. With a slight change in the position of their feet when they hit the ground, rabbits are able to jump in a different direction.
To avoid obstacles
On the other hand, the ability to jump forward also allows them to dodge various obstacles that come their way, such as wells or grass a little high.
This adaptive advantage is key for animals that belong to a highly predated species such as rabbits. When you add to all this defensive arsenal the fact that the color of their fur depends a lot on where the different varieties of rabbits that exist live, the success that rabbits have achieved as a species is understood.
My rabbit jumps like crazy - Causes
From a behavioral point of view, rabbits jump for different reasons. Domestic rabbits generally do not have predators (unless there is a dog or cat in the house that scares them), so many times they jump for fun This jump has as its characteristic a slight swaying in the air that reminds us of a kind of dance. In broad strokes, these would be the main reasons why rabbits jump:
Is he happy or pleased
One of the main reasons why a rabbit jumps is because it is happy or content. It can happen when, for example, you give him a prize that he likes a lot or when you allow him access to an area of the house where he can move more freely. If you were wondering why my rabbit runs and jumps like crazy, it is most likely because that is how he is showing his happiness.
Is playing
Wants to get your attention
A rabbit can also jump to get your attention, either to receive a prize, a caress or simply because he wants you to be there for him. This usually happens especially if your rabbit perceives that, when he jumps, his guardian rewards him in some way for that behavior, which causes him to do it more than usual.
You can see other ways that rabbits have to get your attention in this other article on How do I know if my rabbit loves me?
You are discharging power
When a rabbit spends a large part of the day with little activity, this "game" allows him to channel the pent-up energy and incorporate it as one more activity into his daily exercise routine.
If you want to know more about how rabbits behave, here is an article on Rabbit Behavior.
How to make your rabbit happier?
Many people have the false presumption that adopting a rabbit will not require much time or effort, but it is not. Rabbits are social animals that form bonds with the individuals with whom they live. Consequently, to establish and positive bonds with our furry, we must interact with him every day in a way that is not frightening and pleasant for our pet. This will make the rabbit more likely to exhibit play behaviors, such as jumping around or allowing physical contact with its human guardian.
On the other hand, rabbits need both rest and exercise. A mentally and physically unstimulated rabbit will exercise or be active less and less, and this will affect the muscle strength of its legs and its mood in general. One option to exercise their mental and physical stimulation is to make some homemade toys for rabbits.
In short, a rabbit that has its social, rest, play and exercise needs met will have a higher quality of life, better physical he alth and probably a longer life as well. And we, for our part, will be able to enjoy much more time with our little and jumping friend.
For more information, don't miss the video below on how to care for a rabbit correctly.
