DID HE BITE ME?!?!

[Brass]

Quick question:

Did my rabbit bite me? Or is it something less sinister?

Got home from a day and a half vacation (had someone checking the bunnies, Was probably nice for them to adjust to their new home in peace and quiet!).

I gave each a dandelion and then about 10 minutes later came back to add feed/water. First though I noticed my jr buck was sniffing at the cage door so I put my finger in to let him sniff it. He sniffed it and instead of jumping back like he used to he gave it a nibble. It didn't hurt or break skin, but it was clearly a nibble. I took my hand back, waited a moment and it happened again! (Because I'm a glutton for punishment?)

So was this an aggressive move? I THINK he looked relaxed but I really can't tell, even after reading "The Language of Lagomorphs" over and over again…

If it was aggressive how do I deal with this? I've only had him a few days and I wouldn't say he's exhibited any of these behaviors.

The other rabbits were more accepting of my touch today too than they were last time I handled them (Saturday night).

Sorry for being such a noob!

ETA: I realize now that probably wasn't the brightest idea to stick my finger in…. but in my defense I didn't want to open the door because it would have bashed him in the face and pissed him right off.

 

[Sagebrush]

If it was an aggressive bite you would be bleeding. They tend to not hold anything back. Might have been a curiosity nibble though. Carruthii, my buck, will do that if you just stick your finger in his cage. If you open the door he has his head under your hand and wants the scratches.

 

[Zass]

That wasn't aggression :lol: You might of been salty, and he likely also associated your presence with the dandelions and other treats, especially if you poke them through the bars at the same place.
If anything, the curiosity nibble can be considered a good sign that he is starting to trust you.

 

[Brass]

That wasn't aggression :lol: You might of been salty, and he likely also associated your presence with the dandelions and other treats, especially if you poke them through the bars at the same place.
If anything, the curiosity nibble can be considered a good sign that he is starting to trust you.

OH THANK GOD.

I was like 'oh god. oh god. my new rabbit hates me.'

But I won't be sticking my finger in again… hopefully my kids don't either. I can tell them not to but, um, they have the impulse control of a gnat.

 

[Sagebrush]

:lol: they are kids. If you tell them NOT to push the red button, you better believe they will.

 

[Zass]

On the upside, he probably won't draw blood.

Might be a good lesson...just be ready with lots of hugs and cuddles and a good explanation as to why it isn't really the bunnies fault.

 

[Miss M]

I get nibbled on every time I stick my fingers through the wire, no matter which bunny is in the cage. If I open the door, the same rabbits will be begging for scritches.

I agree with the others. He didn't bite you... he was trying to see if you were edible.

 

[PSFAngoras]

I agree with everyone else, but I just wanted to add, if you figure out how to teach your kids not to poke the rabbits through the bars then you should let me know so I can teach my husband!

Two and a half years of raising rabbits and his favorite thing to do is still poking kits through the cage wires. Luckily my herd is pretty mellow and doesn't care, but it annoys me! The only upside is that when people's kids poke the rabbits at the show my bunnies are okay with it!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I have a doe named Cookie Monster (just Cookie for short) because when you fill her feed bowl, she eats it in the horrifically violent way of the Sesame Street puppet. I laugh and explain to people she eats her food from the bottom of the bowl up. She will also grab anything you poke through the bars, assuming it's food, in her mouth. I like to rub my rabbits on the forehead with an index finger...one day I wasn't paying attention and went to pet her and she grabbed my finger, tried to pull it into the cage like a treat!!! She didn't bite down, or act aggressive, but it sure startled me!!! :lol: She nibbles and tugs on any fingers stuck in her cage but never leaves a mark, and (crazy pellet-eating methods aside) Cookie is a really sweet-natured doe.

In other words, like others have said, I think it's a sign he's getting comfortable with you and trusts you. Plus maybe you are tasty! Judging by Cookie's enthusiasm, I must be delicious!!!!

 

[The_Dutchess]

I have a Polish buck that is as SWEET as sweet can be. He is such a baby and a total clown. But anything that goes through the bars of his cage gets nibbled, so I just never stick my fingers through his cage. So don't worry, your rabbit doesn't hate you.