The word bunny refers to a rabbit, an endearing mammal with soft fur and long ears. Rabbits are members of the Leporidae family and can be found all over the world. They move on four legs with a hopping gait and their coats can be a single color or a mix of white, black, brown, tan or cream. They also have short tails. Rabbits can stand up by raising their front legs and sitting on their haunches, but they don’t like to be picked up or held. Instead, they may hide, run away or nip and bite. This behavior is an instinctive reaction to the danger of being grabbed by predators, not unlike a dog’s nip or a cat’s claws.
Rabbits are very intelligent animals and they easily recognize their owners by their voice, smell, and actions. They’re affectionate and loving, but they also like their alone time. They love to play and are often naughty with their humans, but they’ll groom you with little bunny licks, too, to show how much they care about you.
Some people who have rabbits describe them as being halfway between a dog and a cat, though each individual animal is unique. Some are snuggly and will doze on your chest, while others will hop away from you. They’re not vocal animals, but if they do make any noises, it’s likely because something is wrong and they need to see a veterinarian. They’re prey animals, so they’re constantly on the lookout for predators and will hide their illness to avoid appearing vulnerable.