We have to bear in mind that wild rabbits are easy prey and therefore, no matter how well they know their surroundings, they are always aware of what is happening around them. They never fully rest, as they sleep in a state similar to wakefulness.
Although it is becoming more and more common to find rabbits in homes, these customs have not changed. They are already pets, but the evolution of the different species does not change so quickly. That’s why the rabbits still don’t fall asleep at all.
How do rabbits sleep?
If you have never lived with a rabbit, everything that has to do with its way of sleeping may catch your attention.
Rabbits enjoy sleeping in their burrows, so they need a similar space in their cage. In order to rest they will look for a safe and quiet refuge where they feel protected. Being in a wide and open space only gives them insecurity and stress at bedtime.
In addition, they are animals that usually sleep during the day and are more active at night. It makes sense if we think about how they survive in the wild. During the day they hide to sleep and at night they are activated to look for food, move or enjoy movement.
Every day they sleep between six and eight hours on a regular basis. If they are in an environment where they really feel comfortable, they can sleep 10 hours at a time.
How to know if a rabbit is sleeping?
Sometimes it is not clear whether a rabbit is asleep or awake. For example, you can have relaxed breathing and be inactive but at the same time have your eyes open. This occurs when you are adjusting to a new space or feel insecure.
As he becomes calmer and more confident, sleep will be calmer and you will be able to see him sleep with his eyes closed.
To know if he is really asleep or not, you should pay attention to his breathing and his response to visual stimuli (not so much to sound ones, which could wake him up).
8 other curiosities about rabbits
Despite how common rabbits are today as pets, many people are still surprised to learn certain curiosities about them that we believe are not always true.
- They Don’t Eat Carrots – Seriously, rabbits don’t eat carrots. Although you’ve seen Bugs Bunny eat them hundreds of times, along with other rabbits in pop culture, they are not particularly recommended for them. What they do eat with pleasure are green leaves.
- They are very sensitive to heat : that is why you always have to take into account the time you are going to leave them alone. If it may take you a while to get home, the ideal is to leave enough water at your disposal. When you are at home with him, it is easier for you to refill the water as many times as he needs it.
- They eat their own poo : they make different types of feces, and some of them have a lot of nutrients and that is why rabbits ingest them.
- They have a very short gestation period : it lasts about a month, between 28 and 32 days. And at one time it can have between four and 12 offspring.
- They are easily bored : it is an animal that, during the hours that it is awake, is very active. That is why he needs toys or interactions that help him to be moving.
- There is a breed of huge rabbits : although they usually measure between 30 and 50 centimeters, the Flanders rabbits can easily reach 80 centimeters and 10 kilos in weight.
- Their teeth never stop growing: that’s why they need to wear them down constantly. They need to have plenty of hay on hand and maybe a toy to help too.
- They have a vision of almost 360º : The arrangement of the eyes on their faces is what facilitates this complete vision. It should not be forgotten that this type of vision is essential for it in an open habitat in order to survive.
The rabbit is a fascinating, sociable and loving animal. That is why it has gained a lot of popularity as a pet. However, and as always, the more you know about this animal before living together, the better.
