Pet rabbits and wild rabbits

Alicia · Nov 18, 2012

For one of my assignments I have to talk about the differences in the behaviour of a pet rabbit and a wild animal. I know this isn't behaviour but I've also mentioned about how food is different as they wouldn't have pellets, but I wondered if for behaviour do you think pet rabbits can be more relaxed/less nervous as they are used to humans and can become used to dogs if they live around them, whereas a wild rabbit would be very scared of humans and dogs. I was also going to explain about how they would behave in the wild for things like digging and chewing and how things can be provided for them when they are kept as pets to allow them to show natural behaviour. Can you think of any other behaviours that pet rabbits show that wild rabbits do not or any behaviours that wild animals show that pet rabbits do not so much now?

Parsnip&tats · Nov 18, 2012

Okay trying to think back to animal behaviour assignment days :shock:..... (brain cogs are whirring!):idea::idea:

You could talk about domestic rabbits showing stereotypical and coping behaviours when kept in unsuitable environments. For example chewing is a natural behaviour, however a domesticated rabbit confined to a small restricted space may excessively chew to relieve and cope with the boredom/frustration; a stereotypical behaviour.

Hope that might help :thumb:

Mirth · Nov 18, 2012

Might be worth talking to people on here who kept half wild and wild rabbits (rescued) and ask them about their behaviours. From what I remember reading, they are different.

I know with selective breeding we have dulled down their instincts and reactions. A wild rabbit is far more cautious and more alert and ready to bolt then a pet who runs around their garden all day.

Sky-O · Nov 18, 2012

I've got a wildie and also obviousy a fist full of domestics.

My wildie is more nervous of movement, especially my hands. I had to work hard to win his trust on a very basic level and he still panics when I'm around. He needs the highest level of stimulation out of any bunny and if I don't provide him with it, he'll create it himself

roll

.

Wildie rabbits are also a healthier shape, a more natural shape, so are likely to have less problems like dental issues. Obviously in the wild they have a significantly shorter lifespan than in captivity due to predators, roads, illness, etc.

Tinsel · Nov 18, 2012

I guess the context is likely to be different ie wild rabbits live in colonies whereas pets normally live in ones/twos or smaller groups. That has a knock-on effect on behaviour, eg territorial disputes may be stronger between pets than within a colony; hierarchies are more complex when there are more rabbits; colonies may reject a sick rabbit whereas bonded pairs may protect each other (could go the other way though) and behaviour such as stamping may be designed to communicate with he whole colony as opposed to a single bun expressing his/her frustration....

parsnipbun · Nov 18, 2012

Tinsel said:
I guess the context is likely to be different ie wild rabbits live in colonies whereas pets normally live in ones/twos or smaller groups. That has a knock-on effect on behaviour, eg territorial disputes may be stronger between pets than within a colony; hierarchies are more complex when there are more rabbits; colonies may reject a sick rabbit whereas bonded pairs may protect each other (could go the other way though) and behaviour such as stamping may be designed to communicate with he whole colony as opposed to a single bun expressing his/her frustration....

are they meaning the differences between wild bunnies IN the wild and domestic bunnies in domestic situations - or whether there are innate differences between the two even if put in the same situations (I am NOT suggesting that domestic buns should be put in w ild situation - just clarifying - )

Tamsin · Nov 19, 2012

I would say the majority of the differences in behaviour between the two are down to environment and experiences. Pet rabbits don't dig warrens because generally they don't have an environment that enables them to do so, likewise with the differences in feeding patterns, social behaviours etc. If you look at pet rabbits that live in a more natural environment e.g. feral colonies which they have several off in the US they live like wild rabbits.

Scamp's a wild rabbit but he's as people friendly as a domestic, more so than some. Pet rabbits that haven't been socialised can be very nervous of people/animals.

He's a little more high energy/high need for stimulation but then again you can find that in some domestic rabbits too.

courtneydayle · Nov 19, 2012

Tamsin said:
I would say the majority of the differences in behaviour between the two are down to environment and experiences. Pet rabbits don't dig warrens because generally they don't have an environment that enables them to do so, likewise with the differences in feeding patterns, social behaviours etc. If you look at pet rabbits that live in a more natural environment e.g. feral colonies which they have several off in the US they live like wild rabbits.

Scamp's a wild rabbit but he's as people friendly as a domestic, more so than some. Pet rabbits that haven't been socialised can be very nervous of people/animals.

He's a little more high energy/high need for stimulation but then again you can find that in some domestic rabbits too.

That is so cute!!!! We've had a few little baby wildies before, but we always released them back into the wild when they got old enough to fend for themselves. They were scared and nervous around everything.

Michelleox · Nov 19, 2012

My amber has wild bun in her (she was used in a advert before got her :roll: ) There are defnitely some differences, the way she eats her food for example - keeping a look out the whole time whilst my domestic bun just stuffs his face. She does the zig zag thing too. Little things you certainly notice.

molly35 · Nov 19, 2012

My wildie x is the only bun I have that digs and boy can she dig. She does not like human contact at all even stroking. She is more alert, more curious and a lot more trouble than all of the others put together. I always know if something is wrong its ALWAYS Lady to blame!!!! She is also an escape artist but never goes too far from home. She is very independant.

Tinsel · Nov 19, 2012

parsnipbun said:
are they meaning the differences between wild bunnies IN the wild and domestic bunnies in domestic situations - or whether there are innate differences between the two even if put in the same situations (I am NOT suggesting that domestic buns should be put in w ild situation - just clarifying - )

Yes; that does need to be clarified. And although they're not wild as such, there's also a level at which domestics like ours who live in a big group setting may also be partially replicating wildie behaviour... :?

parsnipbun · Nov 19, 2012

Tinsel said:
Yes; that does need to be clarified. And although they're not wild as such, there's also a level at which domestics like ours who live in a big group setting may also be partially replicating wildie behaviour... :?

Yes - quite a few of mine are distinctly 'wilder' that domestic bunnies are normally :lol::lol::lol:

Bungle bunny · Nov 19, 2012

molly35 said:
My wildie x is the only bun I have that digs and boy can she dig.

I have 3 sets of buns and they each live in their own enclosure. Last year, around this time they all dug their own amazing burrows.

This year, only Herbs and Fudge dug mainly Herbs, I have filled it in twice but he just goes out there and digs again. He is a black dutch.

Pet rabbits and wild rabbits

Alicia

Mama Doe

Parsnip&tats

Warren Scout

Mirth

Mama Doe

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

Tinsel

Wise Old Thumper

parsnipbun

Wise Old Thumper

Tamsin

Administrator

courtneydayle

Alpha Buck

Michelleox

Mama Doe

molly35

Mama Doe

Tinsel

Wise Old Thumper

parsnipbun

Wise Old Thumper

Bungle bunny

Mama Doe

Similar threads