Lagomorpha (Hares, Rabbits and Pikas)

Rabbits have some unique behaviors. You may have seen a rabbit suddenly leap in the air and twist its body. This is a binky. Rabbits binky when they are happy and comfortable in their surroundings, and is a sign they are getting the correct nutrition. A binky is a sign of happiness that they show by leaping and twisting in the air. Rabbits also do a half-binky by flicking their head while in the air. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgH0pyo5Fbc&t=39s Rabbits are an adorable pet and are one of the quietest and calmest. Rabbits have unique body language, which they use to communicate. When they are happy, they leap in the air, and if you own a rabbit, you may have wondered why. Why Do Rabbits Binky? Rabbits binky because they are happy and comfortable in their surroundings. Rabbits communicate through body language, and this is just one way. Rabbits perform a binky as a sign of being content. It is a joyful sight because they tend to do it with no notice, so it is more appealing and satisfying when you see it. Four Ways To Make Your Rabbit Binky 1) Play With Them Playing with them often makes rabbits very happy. Rabbits are social animals and will appreciate the attention. Playing with them and giving them a toy to play with may make them so happy that they do a binky. 2) Give Them Their Favorite food After eating their favorite food, rabbits may be so happy that they binky. As with us, eating their favorite food makes rabbits happy. 3) Treat Them Well Looking after your rabbit will make them happy. When they are being treated well, they will feel more comfortable. A mistreated rabbit is very unlikely to binky. 4) Take Them To The Garden If you have a garden and allow your rabbit to access it, this will make more them more likely to binky. Rabbits love the outdoors, so try to let them out if you can. Your rabbit will run around and explore, making them happy enough to do a binky. If your rabbit stays in a cage or only a particular area of your house, giving them some time in the garden will make them more comfortable. What Is A Rabbit Binky? When a rabbit performs a binky, the rabbit takes a sudden leap in the air, simultaneously twisting its body and then kicking out its hind legs. Rabbits can binky whether they are running or standing still. Is It Safe? Rabbits are not the best at judging the landing and may bump into objects when landing. It is quite common for them to bump into objects, but they generally don't hurt themselves. A binky is a sudden, spontaneous activity and may look like it could be hurt by twisting, but there is little danger. A rabbit performing a binky is a sign that they are happy, and if you are an owner of a rabbit, there is no need to be worried. If you would like to know how well your rabbits see, I have written an article here. Is A Binky A Sign Of Good Health? Another reason behind a binky is that the rabbit is in good health and gets the right nutrition. Giving appropriate care and food to the rabbit will make the binky a common occurrence. A rabbit that is performing a binky shows they are in good health. When a rabbit is getting the correct nutrition to be healthy and happy, they tend to do the leap more often. Good food, ample drinking water, occasional treats, and green vegetables will all make a rabbit happy and healthy. Rabbits get good nutrition from natural foods, and owners should keep in mind that certain treats can make your rabbit unhealthy. Excessive sugary treats and artificial or processed food are not suitable for rabbits. How do wild rabbits survive? Find out here Why do rats have long tails? Find out here What Is A Half-Binky? There is a common variation of the binky, which is known as the half-binky. The half-binky is also known as a head flick or an ear flick. This usually occurs when the rabbit is running around. Rather than moving to perform a full binky, rabbits tend to do a head flick or ear flick when in the air. A half-binky is also a sign of happiness among rabbits. To get your rabbit to do the head flick, look at them and flick your head to the side. If they do it back, you know they are happy and comfortable. It is also adorable when they do an ear flick because their ears are larger than their heads. Make your bunny happy, and he will do many tricks for you. What Is A Flop? A bunny who is comfortable and is at ease will also perform a flop. There is a particular build-up to the flop. They will roll around and then finally tilt to one side to rest its head. This behavior usually occurs when they are trying to lie down. Why Does My Rabbit Lick Me? Rabbits will lick you to show affection. That is a rabbit's way of showing love towards their owners. Some people may not like this, but it is their way of showing affection towards you and maybe towards your family members or friends. Rabbits also lick each other. They do this to groom and show affection towards each other and show that they are comfortable in their company. Other Common Rabbit Behaviors Nose Bonking or Nudging Nose bonking or nudging is a behavior that rabbits use to show authority. The nudge signifies that a rabbit is trying to show their dominance. It can also be used as a greeting or for investigation. A nose nudge can also be the sign that the rabbit wants attention. If a rabbit feels like it is not getting enough attention, then they may nudge you to pet them. Are shrews dangerous? Find out here Thumping Thumping is when they thump their hind feet on the floor. They do this when they feel they are in danger. They will thump their tiny hind legs to get a warning signal to other rabbits in the surrounding area. The thumping of the hind legs is due to rabbits not possessing a way of communicating, such as cats and dogs do. Thumping is a rabbit's unique way to make other rabbits aware of imminent danger. Chin Rubbing Rabbits will rub their chin on objects and people. This is the rabbit's way of marking their territory. They may rub their chin on you, which signifies that they are marking their territory on you. Hopefully, you will now know a bit more about why rabbits binky and half-binky. Although rabbits are quiet animals, their bodies say a lot to other rabbits and us. By understanding what your rabbit is doing, you will be able to understand better what they need. If you would like to know how rabbits survive, I have written an article here.