Rabbit Body Language
A rabbit’s sleeping position can reveal a lot about their personality, health and how they are feeling.
This guide breaks down the most common rabbit sleeping positions and explains the science behind why bunnies sleep in certain ways.
The Loaf Position
A Loaf position is when your bunny tucks its legs under itself, usually with relaxed ears, and a drooped head. They will condense their body into a tight little ball, resembling a loaf of bread.
Many bunnies prefer to sleep in a loaf position because they feel safer against any possible danger. If a threat were to appear quickly, they could get their hind legs moving immediately.
This resting position may also indicate that your rabbit is trying to conserve body heat as it gives less surface area for the heat to escape from.
Oftentimes, Rabbits keep their eyes open while sleeping in this position. Which brings us to the next sleeping position of our list.
Sleeping with Open Eyes
Rabbits often sleep with their eyes open. They sleep with their eyes closed too, but only if they feel safe and comfortable with their surroundings.
As prey animals, bunnies are on the lookout for predators, even when they are sleeping. By sleeping with their eyes open, a rabbit can detect danger while asleep.
Surprisingly, bunnies can sleep with their ears upright too. It’s just a little less common.
if your rabbit sleeps with their eyes open in your home, it may indicate that they do not yet feel safe or comfortable in their surroundings.
To tell if your bunny is sleeping or not, just look at their nose. A fast twitching nose is a clear sign of a rabbit who’s awake and aware.
And remember, rabbits dream during the REM stage of sleep and they twitch their feet or their mouths in response to whatever's happening in their dreams. This is when you know your bunny is in deep sleep.
Dead Bunny Flop
Sleeping on one side with their limbs stretched out means that your rabbit is fully content and feeling safe. Your bunny is in total relaxation mode and does not feel the need to remain alert. Usually, rabbits fall into a deep sleep in this position.
Sleeping sideways is one of the most vulnerable position for a rabbit because it can take much longer to rise up in case of danger or predators’ attack. So if your bunny sleeps this way next to you, it means that they fully trust you and feel comfortable with you.
But remember, this position may also indicate that your rabbit is hot and trying to cool off by putting their core against the cold floor.
Superman
In this position, a rabbit lays down on their stomach, with their back feet and tail stretched out behind them. What comes to your mind when you spot your bunny in this position is the image of a superman. Pretty cool, huh?
This is another position that puts your rabbit in a very vulnerable situation. This is because their back feet are stretched out and it would take them much longer to get up and run away if they have to. If they sprawl out next to you, it is a clear sign that your rabbit trusts you and feels safe with you. Oftentimes, rabbits rest in this position when they are very comfortable. They also may adopt this position to cool down in hot summer days.
Sphinx
In this position, the muscles of the rabbit are tense and contracted and this actually prevents them from falling into a deep sleep. Therefore, this is a resting position adopted by a rabbit who wants to relieve itself of stress and be comfortable. Your bunny is probably tired and is trying to take a break, but is also ready to take off if needed.
Rabbits often get into this position when they have a considerable amount of energy and they don't feel like sleeping. They would prefer staying in a resting position where they can easily get up and take off.
Therefore, you can only spot your pet in this position when they are taking a nap. You cannot see them sleeping like this at night.
The lambchop
Does your rabbit stretch out one or both rear legs, and rolls slightly to one side? Good! This is referred to as “the lamb chop” or “sun bather” position. It means your rabbit is relaxed and content. If the floor is cold, your rabbit may use this sleeping position to cool down during the warmer months of the year.
Back to Back
If you have more than one rabbit in your home, you might notice that they sleep back-to-back. Wild rabbits tend to huddle to together for protection and warmth in the wilderness. It makes them feel safe.
Rabbits can do this with their human pack, too! back-to-back sleeping is a way for your bunny to bond with you, showing you that they can trust you and feel safe with you. If your bunny lays on top of you, or sleeps next to you while you pet them, they’re just showing you some extra love! It’s their way of saying, “I love you”.
But don’t worry if your rabbit doesn’t snuggle with you. Bunnies are prey animals and very skittish. It takes a while for most rabbits to trust their human.
