When you introduce your rabbit to a new environment or let them have the run of a room, don’t be surprised to see them rub their chin against furniture and whatever other objects they comes across, including you!

Rabbit chinning is your bunny’s way of saying, “Dibs!”

Rabbits have a scent glands under the chin that leaves an odor on whatever the rabbit rubs his chin against. You won’t be able to smell this marking behavior; other rabbits can detect the scent but not people.

Rabbits like things just the way they left them.

Rabbits are prey animals, so memorizing the layout of the environment—especially any potential escape routes—is a hardwired, natural instinct. So, don’t be surprised to see your rabbit run about the room and retrace their route if you’ve changed the layout they’re used to—like moving furniture or adding a new chair.

Rabbits eat a small bit of their poop. It might sound gross, but rabbits do this for a legit health benefit.

The poop they consume is called “cecotropes,” which is different from the rabbit’s regular poop in that it is softer and full of nutrients the rabbit needs. It is also referred to as “night feces,” because rabbits ingest them typically late at night or early in the morning.

The rabbit is essentially re-digesting their rabbit food in order to absorb the vital vitamins and minerals missed during the first go-around through the digestive tract.

Rabbits keep their fur and paws clean by licking themselves frequently throughout the day, much like cats. Rabbits generally don’t need to be bathed, but they do need regular brushing to minimize the amount of hair they ingest during grooming.

One of the cutest grooming postures a bunny will do is sit up, lick and then fling their paws out karate-style and rub them against their face.

Two bonded rabbits will show affection by grooming each other. Your rabbit might show their affection for you in a similar way, by licking you!

A rabbit might also lick you to let you know they want to be petted.

When a rabbit wants your attention, they will nudge you with their nose.

You can expect a nose nudge when you have a tasty treat in your hand or when your bunny wants you to pet them. They will nudge your hand or arm and wait for you to pet him.

Dr. Witherell adds they may also nudge your hand away if they are done with that attention.

A relaxed, happy rabbit might grind their teeth gently together almost rhythmically. This is audible if you are in close proximity or petting your rabbit.

Loud teeth crunching, however, can be a sign that your rabbit is in pain, and this is often accompanied by tense body language (e.g. hunched with ears held tight against their body).

Learn more about your bunny's teeth.

When a rabbit is not happy with something you did or with something in their environment, they might express their displeasure with a loud “thump,” which is accomplished by smacking their back feet hard against the ground.

You might hear a “thump” when you put them back in their pen when they were happily free roaming around a room. The “thump” is often followed by the rabbit hopping away and turning their back to you—the ultimate bunny diss!

Rabbits will also stomp their back legs to make a thump if they sense danger to warn other rabbits, Dr. Witherell says. “They may also do this if they are upset with something going on to warn their owner or another animal to stop what they are doing.”

You’ll know that your rabbit likes where they are if they start dropping a little trail of fecal rabbit pellets behind them as they hop about.

They might be fully litter-trained, but they’re choosing to go outside the box to claim their newfound territory.

“When rabbits are very happy, they can jump up in the air with a sideways kick or a body shake,” says Dr. Witherell.

This is referred to as a “boink” or binky.

A boinking bunny is happy and in a playful mood.

Rabbits sometimes toss items about. These can include rabbit toys, their litter box or their food dishes.

Tossing can be a sign of wanting to play or, in the case of a tossed rabbit food bowl, a way to get your attention. The bunny is saying, “Feed me!”

A rabbit might growl and/or lunge if they feel threatened, especially if they’re backed into a corner and have no way of escape.

Try to avoid situations where your rabbit might feel threatened such as chasing your rabbit around a room when they want to be left alone.

A bunny flop is when your pet rabbit falls over onto its side, sometimes very dramatically. And when your rabbit flops over and throws themself onto their side, this means they’re relaxed and might be about to take a nap, Dr. Witherell says.

"This is a content, relaxed behavior."

Loafing, also called splooting, is when your house rabbit turns themself into a little loaf. They may tuck their front legs in or stretch out their back legs.

“Tucking their front paws underneath them is often a relaxed, comfortable position for your rabbit when resting,” says Dr. Witherell.

Female rabbits may start building a nest and pulling out their fur to use as insulation for this nest if they’re pregnant. A pregnant bunny may also act more aggressively, growling, lunging and biting more than usual.

Even after spaying, your female rabbit may experience a false pregnancy that causes her to mimic these behaviors.

Rabbits make a lot of sounds, some of which include purring, teeth grinding, clucking, grunting, whining, honking and snorting. This is your bunny’s way of communicating with you and getting out all of their rabbit feels.

Different sounds can mean different things. For example:

• Clucking, purring and humming are signs of happiness and contentment.
• Growling, snorting, hissing and whining are signs of discontent.
• Teeth grinding can indicate happiness or pain/distress (so if your bunny does this often, it might be a good idea to check in with the vet).