The BC SPCA has lots of information on rabbits

Photo: BC SPCA

In the Chinese calendar, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit.

The Chinese New Year began Jan. 22, but how much do you know about the furry critters?

The BC SPCA has a wealth of information on the lagamorphs.

The rabbit is the luckiest animal on the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes the character traits of creativity, compassion and sensitivity.

“Rabbits are a much more complex and interesting animal than a lot of people think,” says Meghann Cant, BC SPCA’s manager, companion animal welfare science and policy. “They are a prey species so it takes some time to show their personality, but once they trust you, many are quite affectionate. They need attention and playtime outside of a cage to stay healthy and happy.”

The average lifespan of a rabbit is seven to 10 years depending on the breed. Some rabbits can live up to 15 years.

There are many ways rabbits let you know they trust and care about you:

• You know your rabbit is bonded to you when they start to groom you by licking your arm or leg while you are petting them.
• It could be misunderstood as an attempt to trip you, but when rabbits are excited and feeling the love, they will run around your legs and sometimes between them.
• When they want you to pet them, they will nudge your hand or lower their head.
• They will lay down beside you with their legs splayed out or even flop on their back. This is a very vulnerable position for them to rest in. They are saying, “I trust you”.
• Rabbits purr. Although much quieter than a cat’s purr which comes from the throat, you know when your rabbit is content when they softly grind their teeth, causing their jaw to vibrate and their whiskers to twitch.
• Rabbits’ ears can rotate independently and they can hear up into the ultrasonic range, well beyond what humans can hear. Their ears also help keep them cool.
• They have nearly 360-degree vision. Rabbits can see from all directions without turning their head.
• Rabbits shouldn’t eat carrots. Their high sugar content makes carrots only suitable for treats occasionally. Grass hays like Timothy hay, orchard grass or oat hay should make up 80 per cent of their daily diet and fresh leafy greens like kale, bok choy, parsley and romaine lettuce combined with high quality rabbit pellets should make up the rest.