Monday, November 24, 2008

Rabbit Talk: What's a binky?

Have you ever seen your rabbit sprinting around at full speed, twitching her head and body in different directions, kicking her legs out to the side, jumping high in the air, and pretty much looking like she's having a very sudden and acute full-blown seizure? Has your rabbit developed early-onset Tourette's Syndrome? Of course not! She's just "binkying." Rabbits communicate in a multitude of different ways, and the binky is used to express feelings of unadulterated exuberance.
If there's any doubt in your mind, check out pro-binkier Hoppel's YouTube debut:

Courtesy of House Rabbit Network
If you're pressed for time, watch the first 15 seconds and then forward to minute 2:00. That's when he really goes crazy! Please note that Hoppel is available for adoption, so if you live in the New England area, please contact the House Rabbit Network to make a date with this adorable little gymnast.

New areas that a rabbit finds exciting and also safe will frequently elicit a good binky episode. A trip outside to the garden or permission into a new room of the house are popular venues for binkies, though it doesn't take much—this past weekend, I rearranged my living room furniture, and I haven't seen that many binkies from Graysie in a while! Some rabbits binky as part of a daily routine, and some reserve them for special occasions. The phenomenon of the binky is just another reason to house your rabbit indoors, and allow them plenty of out-of-cage time. Outdoor rabbits rarely experience unadulterated exuberance, not to mention the fact that you miss out on quite the show if your rabbit is kept caged up. An indoor rabbit with plenty of roaming time will express their joy and gratitude in the form of a binky, and let me tell you, binkies never get old!

9 comments:

The Rabbit Advocate said...

*UPDATE* Hoppel was adopted into a wonderful home last week. Thank you to his foster mom, Erica Worthington Locke of House Rabbit Network, for helping him find his place in the world!

Kayla said...

I have a young rabbitt of about 12 weeks (I have no clue if its a male or female) named Juliet (or Romeo if it turns out to be a boy) that looks just like Hoppel. I have no clue what breed she is (we got her from a tractor supply co.) and I was wondering what breed of rabbit Hoppel was. Thanks.

The Rabbit Advocate said...

Hoppel looks like he's a dutch.
You should definitely get your new rabbit to a vet to sex him/her and for an overall checkup. And he/she should be neutered/spayed once the time comes!

Unknown said...

i have two rabbits and i find that the male rabbit binkies a whole lot more than the female, is that just a personality thing ? or is it normal for the male rabbits to be a lot sillier and happier during play time?

cheap viagra said...

I think animals have many ways to communicate to catch the attention from their owners. it isn't wear because I suppose that they have their own language.

Anonymous said...

My rabbit binkies alot when we let him run free, so it kills me to have to put her in the cage. How do i make her stop chewing our carpet so I can let her run free?

Anonymous said...

I'm glad I found this tonight. I have been very stressed the past few days & thought that my rabbit that I got from SSPCA 3 weeks ago was angry & feeding off my stress. It appears not! Happy bunny....Binkies like crazy!

Sebastian said...

My bubby doesn't just binky when he's running free, I live away from home now so my mom cares for him but when I do come home to visit he gets so overwhelmingly excited to see me and get cuddles that he will binky then flop right in my lap or on top of my chest XD Ziggy's an excitable snuggle bun though and he adores me more than apples and bunny toys so generally anytime he sees me, whether it's been a month or five minutes, it's binky time.

kelinci said...

good you bring to vet.
kelinci