Rabbits are not rodents. They don’t lay eggs. And they aren’t nocturnal. Pretty much everything the average person thinks they know about rabbits is wrong. I get asked about this at parties all the time — so let me clear it up once and for all.
Entangled in folklore, cartoons, and holiday myths, it’s hard to separate the real animal from the fairy tale. Rabbits are some of the most misunderstood animals around.
Why your bunny isn’t a rodent
Because they have long, continuously growing front teeth, almost everyone assumes rabbits belong in the same family as mice, rats, and hamsters.
Are rabbits rodents? No.
Rabbits, along with hares and pikas, belong to a distinct taxonomic order called Lagomorpha. The main physical difference? If you look closely behind a rabbit’s two top front teeth, they actually have a second, smaller pair of peg-like teeth hidden right behind them. Rodents don’t have these! These extra teeth, called peg teeth, are a defining characteristic of lagomorphs and are used to grip and tear vegetation.
Other differences include:
- Lagomorphs are strict herbivores, while some rodents (like rats and mice) are omnivores.
- Lagomorphs have a unique digestive system that produces two types of droppings—hard fecal pellets and soft cecotropes that they re-eat for extra nutrition.
- Rabbits have longer ears and larger hind legs compared to similarly sized rodents.
The Easter Bunny myth
This question is Googled thousands of times every spring! Do rabbits lay eggs?
No, absolutely not. Rabbits are placental mammals, meaning they give birth to live babies (called kittens or kits) and nurse them with milk. A mother rabbit’s pregnancy lasts about 30 days, and she gives birth to a litter of 4 to 12 babies.
Why do people think this? The confusion comes entirely from the mythological “Easter Bunny.” The tradition originated with German immigrants in the 1700s who brought over the legend of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase.” The story said that this magical hare would lay colored eggs for good children to find. Over centuries of holiday marketing, the bunny and the egg became permanently linked in pop culture!
What is a Group of Rabbits Called?
When you see a bunch of bunnies together, what do you call them?
- In the wild, a group of rabbits living together is officially called a colony or a herd.
- However, in casual terms and pet communities, a group of domestic rabbits is delightfully referred to as a “fluffle.” Yes, a fluffle of bunnies is a real term!
- A group of baby rabbits is called a nest or a litter.
- A group of hares (which are different from rabbits) is called a drove.
Dawn and dusk are their peak hours
If your rabbit is keeping you awake at 3 AM by chewing on their cage bars, you might ask: are rabbits nocturnal?
No, they’re crepuscular. This means they’re most active during the twilight hours of dawn (early morning) and dusk (early evening). In the wild, this is when the lighting makes it hardest for predators to see them. During the middle of the day and the dead of night, they prefer to sleep. However, domestic rabbits often adjust their schedule to match their owners, so you may find your bunny active during the day as well.
Understanding crepuscular behavior is important for rabbit owners: your bunny’s peak energy hours are early morning and evening. Schedule playtime and training sessions during these windows for the best results. Trying to interact with your rabbit during their deep sleep hours is likely to result in a grumpy, uncooperative bunny.
Rabbit Communication: Beyond the Thump
Rabbits have a sophisticated communication system that goes far beyond thumping their hind feet:
- Thumping: A loud stomp of the hind leg means “Danger! Hide!” It’s an alarm signal used to warn other rabbits. Your bunny may thump if they hear a startling noise, sense a predator nearby, or are annoyed with you.
- Circling: A rabbit running in circles around your feet is a courtship behavior (usually accompanied by a soft buzzing or honking sound). It means they’re excited and love you!
- Binkying: A joyful leap and twist in the air, often accompanied by a flick of the head. This is the rabbit equivalent of dancing. A binkying rabbit is a happy rabbit.
- Chin rubbing: Rabbits have scent glands under their chin. Rubbing their chin on you, their cage, or their toys is how they mark their territory and claim ownership. Consider it a compliment!
- Flopping: When a rabbit dramatically throws themselves onto their side and lies perfectly still. This looks alarming but is actually the highest sign of trust and relaxation. A flopped rabbit feels completely safe in their environment.