Rabbits have long held an important place as pets in people's lives, especially those who live in and around big cities. Children, in particular, have a great fondness for rabbits as household pets.
As a consequence of the above, it is necessary to provide information on the different aspects of breeding, behavior and care that rabbit guardians should have as companions, because although they are appreciated, they are not as well known popularly as it happens in the case of dogs and cats. On our site we understand this need and, for that reason, in this article we will talk about one of the most common behaviors in these rabbits: kicking the ground. Read on and discover with us why your rabbit kicks the ground
Behavioral characteristics of rabbits
As a brief summary, it could be said that rabbits are territorial and have twilight habits, being animals that exhibit a more active during sunrise and sunset of the day. Like individuals belonging to other species, rabbits need to socialize with other congeners, a suitable space and habitat to exercise, both in the quality of elements to entertain themselves and in the appropriate space or size of said habitat.
It is important to know that, unlike humans, dogs and cats, rabbits' teeth grow constantly throughout the animal's life, so it is important to always provide them with elements that they can gnaw to achieve thereby wearing down your teeth.
Another fundamental difference between rabbits and cats and dogs that should be known and understood is that they do not belong to a predatory species, like the previous ones, but belong to a predated species, that is, They are prey animals. This means that most of their behaviors are based on their survival due to their prey status, and understanding this fact is basic both to knowing why your rabbit gives kicking the ground to understand other behaviors.
Causes why a rabbit hits with its hind legs
This condition of belonging to a predated animal species means that rabbits, in general, are relatively calm animals and that a large part of their way of survival is trying not to draw excessive attention to them. This does not mean that they do nothing all day or that they do not show their emotions. On the contrary, they have a particular way of communicating socially and emotionally with othersThis communication is very visual, although they can also communicate, and do so, vocally through different sounds produced that serve to indicate their mood and needs. Their extraordinary agility and the strength of their hind legs mean that a large part of this visual communication is carried out with fun and spectacular capers, jumps and fast frantic runs, something that, in the eyes of people, makes them fun and highly appreciated pets.
As fun as it can be to watch a rabbit jump, spin, and run, understand that these behaviors are only exhibited for a few moments a couple of times a day. It does not mean that the rabbits are all day putting on an acrobatic show. For most of the day they are quiet animals that try not to attract too much attention.
When their relationship with their human guardian is good and they have generated a strong and positive emotional bond with it, a rabbit can show that attachment through physical contact with their guardian in different ways. The grooming of the coat through licking it is also a way of social contact between individuals who have a good emotional bond between them. Now, what happens when a rabbit kicks the ground? What do you want to convey? These are the main causes:
He's angry
As it is logical to expect, they also have their moments of anger and even anger if something annoys or displeases them. They can act it out or show it by biting and often kicking the air or the ground with their hind legs. The best thing in these cases is to leave him alone until he regains his calm and passes that moment of anger.
The reason for his anger can be very varied and it is essential to know the animal to identify it. For example, you may be angry because you don't have food, because your space is dirty, because you don't feel properly stimulated, etc. Consult the care of the rabbit to check if yours has all its needs covered.
He is afraid
When they are afraid of something specific, they tremble This is a constant and the way rabbits act when the situation scares them. Thus, if they kick the ground, it means that they have noticed a danger, but they do not know exactly what they are facing. Never forget that they belong to a predated species and that the presence of alleged predators generates a very great feeling of fear or dread. This must be taken into account when they will be made to live with cats or dogs. You must always be careful that the dog does not chase or corner him, even if he did it just to play with him. The dog should be taught not to chase the rabbit or simply be careful that both pets are never in the same place in the house without someone's supervision or with the proper security measures, especially for the rabbit. Of course, these measures must be carried out if none of the animals has been properly socialized, since we also find rabbits and cats or dogs that get along very well and enjoy their company.
Because of the above, it is possible that your rabbit hits with its hind legs because it feels that the dog or cat is chasing it and that makes it afraid, although when it is really cornered it is more likely that it will tremble and don't kick.
You are warning of a danger
The most important thing is to observe it a lot so that, through the behaviors exhibited by the rabbit, you can infer the different emotional states it goes through during the course of the day. When rabbits kick the ground it is because they feel some kind of danger that is not so extreme as to tremble, that is, they do so in the face of potential danger and not in the face of a concrete and terrifying danger, as we have explained previously.
The fact that they kick the ground vigorously with their hind legs is a behavior inherited genetically and developed during the evolution of the species whose function is to warn the rest of the groupof the probable or certain presence, but still somewhat distant, of a predator. For this reason, this is a very normal behavior when more than one rabbit lives in the same household or when the rabbit's bond with its guardian is so strong that it feels part of its group.
In short, when faced with a potential danger, the individual in the group who first notices it begins to stamp his feet as a warning signal for the rest of his group. In predated species, the survival of the entire group is based on all its members acting as watchmen and warning others about a potential danger.
What to do if the rabbit won't stop kicking the ground?
If your rabbit constantly hits with its hind legs, it means that it is upset or feels insecure about something, so you must find the cause to eliminate it and restore emotional stability to your animal. If you don't know where to start, we recommend check if you have good environmental enrichment, that is, if you have toys within reach to exercise, if your space is enough or if you have hay at your disposal, as well as water and food.
On the other hand, if you live with other animals or small children, it is essential to ensure that they do not feel intimidated or cornered. And finally, keep in mind that rabbits need to move, so it is not appropriate to keep them confined to their cage 24 hours a day.
