Bunnies don't sleep at night and stay up during the day like humans do, either. They are crepuscular. Yup, there's that word again! It means they're most active at dusk and dawn.
They can doze off at any time of the day if the mood strikes them. They usually take one in the middle of the day, between noon and two. This is the time of day when they are most tired and need to rest. They may do longer or shorter ones depending on their activity level and what they have eaten.
How much sleep do rabbits need? Studies have found that rabbits will get around eight and a half hours of sleep in a day on average. However, a rabbit that feels very safe and comfortable in their home environment will often get even more sleep (closer to 12 hours a day).
Rabbits don't have the same sleep cycles as humans. On average, a person will get 8 hours of sleep a night. Rabbits on the other hand will wake up periodically during the night and catch up on sleep during the day. They have to be awake at night in order to stay alert against attacks from predators.
Rabbits need a contrast of light and darkness. A rabbit that lives in constant light can experience stress. In addition, their eyes can be damaged, and they'll gain weight. Provide a dark area for your bunny to sleep and relax within.
Rabbits can handle the cold very well as they usually have thick fur and pads on their feet, but strong winds and damp environments can make them very uncomfortable. Their hutch should be dry and warm, and there are many things you can do to ensure this.
Rabbits prefer temperatures of about 60–65 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are comfortable in lower temperatures as long as they are appropriately housed. An outdoor rabbit hutch must be waterproof and should have a solid roof with a slight overhang to keep rain and snow out of the hutch.
Many animals are more active at nighttime, so you think maybe rabbits are nocturnal. Rabbits are NOT nocturnal. You will often see them sleeping through the afternoon, but they sleep in the middle of the night too.
However, even if it is not necessary, it may be beneficial for your rabbit to cover the cage at night. Some rabbits are so sensitive that they have a hard time being quiet in the dark. Additional protection in the form of a towel or blanket over the cage can help.
Most of the time rabbits are very quiet pets. They can't bark loudly like a dog or incessantly meow at you like a cat. However, rabbits that are kept in a bedroom can still keep you awake at night by thumping, actively racing around and playing, or loudly rattling the bars of their enclosure.
Rabbits are not nocturnal, so their eyes cannot see in the dark. Rabbits do not have a tapetum lucidum, which helps some animals to see in the dark. In extreme darkness, rabbits rely on their other senses. A rabbit will hear and smell what she cannot see.
Rabbits are not afraid of the dark in and of itself.
If they cannot see and things are happening around them, though, they'll naturally become skittish. An outdoor bunny will smell and hear wild animals. These could be foxes patrolling your yard, neighborhood cats, or owls and bats.
What time of day do rabbits poop? Rabbits usually produce cecotropes at the same time each day, often at night hence they are sometimes called "night droppings", but in pet rabbits, it is dependent on their daily routine and feeding times.
It is best to let your rabbit initiate this i.e. sit on the ground and let them approach you. The best times of day for cuddles are morning and evening when your rabbit is naturally more active. Avoid disturbing your rabbit when it is sleeping.
Crepuscular, of course! It simply means they're at their most active at dawn and dusk. Rabbits sleep a lot during the day so many people assume they're nocturnal but that's not true – take a closer look at your furry friend one evening around sunset, they'll probably be in the mood to play. Well, sort of.
A rabbit requires a resting area and an exercise area. Your rabbit's resting area should have at least two compartments. A darkened sheltered area for sleeping away from noise and another for eating/relaxing.
To keep your rabbit happy and healthy, let it out of its cage at least once a day, giving it time to roam. Though at least one hour is necessary, aim closer to three or four. As a rule, never keep your rabbit cooped up for 24 hours at a time.
The perfect sleeping area for rabbits is a place which approximates a burrow i.e. a roof over their heads and an entrance and exit route. Therefore, house rabbits tend to like sleeping behind sofas or under tables or beds.
Providing pellets or fresh greens during the evening feeding is optimal. Rabbits are most likely to eat their pellets during the evening and overnight hours. Providing food during this time decreases the number of unwanted behaviors (chewing, playing with water bottle) that may occur in the overnight hours.
Can rabbits go without food overnight? Rabbits are grazers who need to eat continuously. If they go even 12 hours without food, then they have a high chance of developing a potentially deadly condition called GI Statis. At most, a rabbit will typically live for around 3-4 days without eating.
The most likely explanation for a rabbit thumping their feet at night is fear. They are afraid of what invisible threats may be lurking in the darkness. If your rabbit lives outdoors, they will smell and hear nocturnal predators. This can understandably make them skittish.
The signs of an unhappy rabbit
Pulling at their fur and over-grooming - or not grooming at all. A change in feeding or toilet habits. Drinking a lot more. Repeated circling or pacing up and down.
Any fast or sudden movements, loud noises, unfamiliar smells or larger creatures – including their owners – can trigger a fear response. 'We're predators from a rabbit's point of view,' explains clinical animal behaviourist Rosie Bescoby, who runs animal behaviour consultancy Pet Sense.
Top 10 tips to keep rabbits cool in summer
A fan can be used to keep the air cool and create airflow, however, do not blow the fan directly onto the rabbits and ensure they have enough room to move away if they wish.