My two Mini lops are not the most sociable creatures and generally just come up and sniff you then hop away...
My Dwarf lop however loves scratches.
I was scratching along her back today (something I haven't done before, I usually stick to her cheeks) she turned around and started licking my hand...
I have had lickers before, I know it's a sign of affection (grooming) but after about 10 licks she would give me a nip. Not hard enough to hurt but hard enough for me to pull my hand away...
So.. does she like it when I scratch her, or is she nipping me to get me to stop?
Shaz... my chinchillas do the same thing.. i dont think its a dont touch me bite i personally think its a this feel good how about i groom you and they just nibble a little too hard. Mind you also the natural salt that we sweat out might just taste sooo good to them that after them 10 licks or so they decide to taste you
adam.. most small mammals see everything as food so they as a first response sniff then taste.. Thats why you should always keep your fingers out of creatures cages unless they are your own and even then they will still nibble.. i know better then to stick my finger in one of my chinchillas cage because her taste test nibbles sometimes draw blood yet her female cage mate nibbles so gently to see if your edible.. the boys i have are between the two.. sometimes they nibble too hard but are usually pretty good. They see you, associate you with being the food giver and if you hand even smells like something they think they would like they are going to try it
Cool, thanks binx!
I've only ever had them lick me before, was a bit worried I had done something wrong!
I guess it would be the same sort of thing Adam
I put this photo in the 'pet photos' thread but it's too cute not to post here
This is the bunny getting her cheeks rubbed, she closes her eyes and puts her chin on the ground then her ears splay outwards...
LOL no worries there shazz. i've had small critters all my life.. mice, rats, degus, chinchillas, rabbits (mini rex crossed with jack rabbits ... and a holland lop named butterscotch) And they ALL do it.. start off licking... lickity lick lick... then all of a sudden you feel some teeth then a nibble... its just their way of showing affection and tasting you... you might of handled something they like to eat before petting her or as i said the salt.. or it could of just been her"grooming" you even if it was a bit of a hard try LOL
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