Amazing Facts

 They Aren’t Rodents

A common mistake! But rabbits are lagomorphs, not rodents; they’re in their own family, along with hares and pikas. Rabbits are different from rodents in a whole bunch of ways: different teeth, different digestive system, and unlike rodents (some of which will eat pretty much anything), rabbits are herbivorous.

Rabbits Have Their Own Anger Language

Rabbit behavior isn’t quite as well-studied as that of cats or dogs, but we still have a pretty good understanding of what they’re trying to tell us (or a predator, or another rabbit). Like cats, rabbits indicate emotion with their ear position; ears turned backwards or pressed low over their back indicate agitation or anger. Same with body position: a rabbit that has turned to face you directly is probably pretty angry. But in the direct inverse of cat behavior, a rabbit’s tail pointed up or out indicates anger, while a tail tucked down indicates peacefulness.

Rabbits Sleep With Their Eyes Open (Literally)

Rabbits have some pretty good adaptations to avoid being eaten, like their speed and big powerful clawed hind legs, but they’re an important prey species for lots of predators. In other words, rabbits get eaten a lot, and as one measure of protection, they sleep with their eyes open. Sudden movements can alert and awaken the rabbit.