Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Other Pets & Animals (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=419)
-   -   Bunny behavior - licking and nipping (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=388419)

  • Aug 19, 2009, 06:05 AM
    shazamataz
    Bunny behavior - licking and nipping
    As most of you know I have 3 beautiful bunnies...

    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?

    Why would she start licking and then bite?
  • Aug 19, 2009, 07:03 AM
    binx44

    Shaz... my chinchillas do the same thing.. I don't think it's a don't touch me bite I personally think it's 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
  • Aug 19, 2009, 07:06 AM
    adam_89

    When my bunny comes to sniff my hand I hold out a finger and she sniffs it then starts nibbling on it. What is that about?
  • Aug 19, 2009, 07:11 AM
    binx44

    Adam.. most small mammals see everything as food so they as a first response sniff then taste.. That's 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
  • Aug 19, 2009, 07:14 AM
    shazamataz
    1 Attachment(s)

    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 :confused:

    I put this photo in the 'pet photos' thread but it's too cute not to post here :p
    This is the bunny getting her cheeks rubbed, she closes her eyes and puts her chin on the ground then her ears splay outwards...
  • Aug 19, 2009, 07:18 AM
    binx44

    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 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 have just been her"grooming" you even if it was a bit of a hard try LOL
  • Aug 19, 2009, 07:41 AM
    adam_89

    Yea, she usually wonders around the room and then comes up to me and then she sniffs and the nibbles, never hard or anything.

    That is a cute bunny Shazzy.
  • Aug 19, 2009, 08:09 AM
    shazamataz

    Be flattered Adam, you must taste yummy! Hehe
    And thank you, she's my little baby.
  • Aug 19, 2009, 08:14 AM
    adam_89

    What is the breed of your bunny and what is her name?
  • Aug 19, 2009, 08:22 AM
    shazamataz

    Dora the Explorer lol
    And she's a Dwarf Lop ;)

    (I don't know why the "dwarf" part... she weighs a ton :rolleyes: )
  • Aug 19, 2009, 08:39 AM
    Alty

    Aw Shaz, she loves you so much she could just eat you up. It's all good. :)

    Thumper does that all the time. It's actually the reason that he was returned twice to the humane society. He's not a biter like his former owners thought, he's a nibbler.

    He'll lick and lick, snuggle right in, and then suddenly you'll feel a little nip. It's never hard, because I know he could draw blood if he wanted to, it's just a nip, hurts a bit, but to them it's just a way to say they love you. :)

    Little Dora is such a cutie. :)
  • Aug 19, 2009, 09:01 AM
    shazamataz

    Thanks Alty!
    I'm really happy now!

    Over 2 years and that's the first time she's licked me, weird little bunny.
    Mind you since she was spayed she has been a much easier bunny to get along with!
    More affectionate, no more destroying her cage (that's the babies job now :rolleyes: ) still doesn't really like the babies but I'll work on it once they are spayed, just leaving them separate for now.

    EDIT - Post number 3,000 yay for me :)
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:25 AM
    binx44

    Congrats on post number 3,000 lmao... and how are the babies doing now?. all bunnies are weird in their own special ways :D... just finally deciding that she wanted to.
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:26 AM
    adam_89

    Yay for you Shazzy. Congrats!!

    I was at this pet store the other day to get a bigger cage for my bunny and They had this huge a$$ bunny there. She said it was 19 lbs and got up to 25 or 26 lbs. that is ridiculous. I never thought they got this big but this bunny was almost as big as my dog.
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:27 AM
    binx44

    I used to have jack rabbit crosses and they were HUGE too.. its surprising how much a bunny can weigh sometimes
  • Aug 19, 2009, 09:14 PM
    Alty

    Adam, here's a big bunny.

    Attachment 23681
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:02 PM
    shazamataz

    I love that bunny Alty!
    Apparently he breeds them and sells them for meat :(
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:11 PM
    artlady

    I don't mean to steal a thread but just a question.My BF had a wild rabbit for years (8)and it used to eat all kinds of wood or anything in the house. Brillo pads,he loved brillo pads!
    His understanding was because rabbits teeth will grow and grow and they need to pare them down?
    Truth?
    Also his rabbit used to eat spaghetti and suck it right up,The pictures are funny.

    How do domestic rabbits pare their teeth down,if in fact that is true?
    Thanks.
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:40 PM
    Alty

    It is true Artsy.

    Rabbits teeth grow constantly. You can buy stones (sand mixture) that they gnaw, it helps.

    If they don't have something to help grind their teeth then a trip to the vet is necessary, they'll clip them or grind them down.

    It's very important, as it can cause problems. Long teeth makes it hard for a bunny to eat.
  • Aug 19, 2009, 10:40 PM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by shazamataz View Post
    I love that bunny Alty!
    Apparently he breeds them and sells them for meat :(

    Serves 6. ;)

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:07 AM.