Behaviour
There is already a wealth of information out there on the net which discusses rabbit body language etc in detail so I've compiled a selection from sources that I trust for you to browse through.
BODY LANGUAGE
Behaviour Glossary Click the Behaviour tab to access Special Bunnies' great discussion about all things related to Bun behaviour.
Rabbits are relatively quiet creatures. As prey animals, it’s in their best interest to not draw too much attention to themselves. That said, they do have a unique way of communicating, from binkying to nose bonking to flopping. We’ll explore rabbit behaviour here.
Binkies, Nose Bonks and Flops: Rabbit Behaviour Explained - My House Rabbit
Welcome to the Language of Lagomorphs, your guide to speaking fluent Rabbit. Or something like that! This website is very comprehensive and will pretty much tell you everything you need to know about rabbit communication.
The Language of Lagomorphs - Your Guide to Rabbit Communication
Rabbits don’t meow, bark or speak. Well actually, they do speak. They speak their own language. A language we humans must learn in order to communicate with them proficiently – or at the very least, to understand their behavior.
Speaking Rabbit - by the Georgia House Rabbit Society
Rabbits have a complex language all their own. They talk to each other and to humans using a wide variety of body positions and a few vocalisations. Your own rabbit’s personality and dialect can best be learned through patient observation. Learning to “read” your rabbit and understanding how they communicate is one of the joys of sharing your home with a rabbit. Watch closely to learn the fascinating intricacies of “rabbit-talk.”
Understanding your Rabbit - Behavioural and Vocal Communication - The House Rabbit Resource Network
Rabbits have a language all their own. Here are some tips on interpreting your bunnies’ hops, kicks and grunts.
Interpreting Body Language and Behaviour - The House Rabbit Society
Understanding a rabbit's body language and common postures is helpful in building a relationship with your rabbit...
Body Language of Rabbits - Bunny Hugga
This website provides information for anyone wanting to learn about clicker training and its application to small pets.
Clicker Training
and includes a section about
Rabbit Behaviour - Clicker Bunny
Rabbits are usually silent but that does not mean that they have nothing to say. Body language is their primary mode of communication but they do make some vocalisations. In addition, rabbits are second language learners and can understand some human-speak. Their behaviour and communication methods have evolved from their wild ancestors responses to their place in the animal kingdom as prey animals, their collective socialisation patterns, and their individual dynamics of social behaviour.
How do I understand my Rabbit’s Behaviour and what s/he is communicating? - Rabbit Wise
The Ears are your Rabbit’s Sign Language!
Rabbits are supposed to be cute and cuddly. So why does it seem like your rabbit hates you or is just plain mean? We’ll cover common behaviour concerns like peeing on the couch, nipping, and other unfavourable actions.
Help! My Rabbit Hates Me! - My House Rabbit.
VOCALISATION
Yes, bunnies do make noises!
Rabbit Vocalisations - Special Bunny
Rabbits noises including grunting, honking, growling, sighing, clucking, teeth purring, thumping, sneezing, squealing, screaming
Vocalisation in Rabbits - Bunny Hugga
STRESS RESPONSES
It may be of some interest to you to know what is happening to your long-eared friend during periods of fear and stress and how that affects the way he reacts.
Frightened as a Rabbit - Georgia House Rabbit Society
HOW TO BOND WITH YOUR RABBIT
How do you build a relationship with your rabbit? Won’t it just happen, like with a puppy or kitten?
Bonding with Your Rabbit - House Rabbit Society
A rabbit can be an adorable, beloved pet, but because rabbits exist as prey animals in the wild they can often be frightened and mistrustful of humans. Learning how to read your rabbit's body language and give him what he needs will help your rabbit learn to trust you and deepen the bond between human and pet.
How to Bond with your Rabbit - WikiHow
Understanding rabbits’ unique language is helpful when building a bond with your pet rabbit for the long term. But if you’ve recently adopted your bunny, you may not even know how to start the bonding process.
Building a Relationship With Your Rabbit - My House Rabbit
SHY AND ALOOF RABBITS - WINNING THEM OVER AND HANDLING
The following suggestions may help to strengthen the bond between you and your independent rabbit friend, but the first and most important step is to accept her for herself.
Life with an Aloof Rabbit - House Rabbit Society
One of the most common misconceptions people have about rabbits is that they like to be held and cuddled. This is probably because they look like plush toys. Unfortunately, many people buy rabbits without realising the true nature of rabbits, and that's one of the main reason these lovely, intelligent creatures are "dumped" shortly after they reach sexual maturity and begin to assert their strong personalities.
Winning Over a Shy Bunny - by Dana Krempels
Some rabbits will hide and avoid human contact. Keep faith, this doesn’t mean that they will not love you once they get to know you. Some rabbits are more shy than others and need some human coaxing to brave human companionship.
Shyness / Unfriendliness - Special Bunny
Our rescue work often requires us to socialise rabbits for the purpose of making them more appealing to prospective adopters. Most of the time, we are dealing with aloof rabbits, who withdraw from human contact and sometimes nip when picked up. Occasionally we take in a decidedly aggressive rabbit who does not withdraw but actually picks a fight with people, objects, or other animals.
Socializing the Antisocial Rabbit - House Rabbit Society
TELLINGTON TTOUCH
This is a wonderful method to use on rabbits who are
frightened, grieving, or who just need more bonding time with their owners.
Tellington TTouch for Rabbits - Special Bunny
Tellington TTouch for a Happy and Healthy Rabbit - House Rabbit Society
TTouch: A Gentle Way to Better Behavior and Health - House Rabbit Society
MASSAGE
Rabbits benefit from massage because it may help them to relax and it may also improve certain medical conditions. Additionally, if a rabbit has become distrustful of humans for any reason, massage can help socialise the bunny to human contact.
Deepening the Bond: How to Connect with Your Rabbit through Massage - House Rabbit Society