Why do bunnies trance

To make matters even more confusing, rabbits will usually appear to fall over into a flop. It may look as if the rabbit just fainted or keeled over.

Flopping over is one of the ways that rabbits sleep. However, they only sleep in this position when they feel safe and comfortable in their environment. A flopped rabbit is in a very vulnerable position. They no longer have their feet under them to run and hide if danger comes along, and they are usually in a deep sleep and unaware of the environment around them. That means if your rabbit flops around you, they trust you very much. Some people like to cradle their rabbit in their arms , almost like a baby.

If your rabbit seems especially calm in this position, it may be because they feel more stable and supported when you hold them in this way. However convenient it may be to trance your rabbit when you want to groom them and clip their nails, this is not a recommended practice.

Studies have shown that this is a practice that puts an incredible amount of stress on a rabbit. When a rabbit is tranced, they feel fear-related stress. They also have higher plasma cortisone levels. All of these signs are indications that the rabbit is experiencing intense fear related stress. In essence, it means that tranced rabbits are afraid for their lives. In this state rabbits are still awake and aware of the environment around them.

They are still able to feel pain and hear loud sounds. They just cannot do anything about it. A rabbit suffering from any kind of respiratory or heart disease could end up dying from the stress of tonic immobility. Even healthy rabbits can die from being put into a trance for extended periods of time.

Rabbits that are tranced frequently often show more signs of stress in their daily lives. They will groom themselves excessively, which is one way that rabbits self-stimulate to calm themselves down. Rabbits who are tranced often are also more prone to hide away. They will likely be less interested in bonding with their human companions, and they will be less confident and curious about the environment around them.

In addition, rabbits who are tranced frequently will start to understand the pattern. In fact, with increased heart rate and a change in blood pressure, quite the opposite is true.

There may be times when trancing a rabbit is appropriate, but it is not something pet owners should do. Keep reading AnimalWised to see why you should never trance a rabbit and learn more about the process. Rabbits go into a trance thanks to something called tonic immobility. Immobility means the state of not being able to move and we can know a lot more about it from the rabbit action's alternative name: apparent death.

This is because the animal seems as if it is indeed dead to the world. This process is not unique to rabbits. It also occurs in sharks, frogs, swifts and even certain insects. The reasons for this state occurring are not yet fully understood, but there have been studies carried out which shed some light on the matter. While it may appear that the bunny is unconscious, the truth is that the rabbit is actually in a state of increased stress. By turning the rabbit on its back and resting its chin against its body, the bunny goes into an automatic response.

The reason for this response is fear. When rabbits are attacked in the wild, the predator will do so to kill. If the predator attacks the bunny and the rabbit goes limp in its jaws , it may stop the attack in the belief the rabbit is dead. The attacker may leave completely or simply give the rabbit enough time to make an escape. This state isn't just a defense mechanism , but also a fear response. Rabbits can also go into this state if they are made to perform a task which it doesn't enjoy, such as bathing.

The rabbit does go limp, but it is not a state of relaxation, nor does it become so voluntarily. It is an automatic response and it can have a serious effect on the rabbit. Rabbits are prone to heart problems in a similar way to human beings [1].

By putting them on their back an inducing this trance state of tonic immobility, their heart rate increases and their plasma corticosterone levels increase. These are both signs of extreme stress. Heart disease in rabbits is much more common in older bunnies [2] , but stress related death can occur at any point in the rabbit's lifespan.

Many people want to put their rabbit into a trance for various reasons. The first is referenced above with those who simply want to have a laugh, often innocently thinking there will be no ill effects of this phenomenon on their bunny rabbit. Unfortunately, while their intentions might be funny to them, it is not so for the rabbit. If you're nervous, ask a friend or family member to be present before you begin.

Part 2. Prepare yourself. Put a towel on your lap. Gather everything you need nearby. For grooming, it could be nail clippers, brushes, etc. Pick up your rabbit. Have it in the crook of your arm -- sort of like snuggling a baby. Turn the rabbit over onto the towel on your lap. Be gentle! Your rabbit will be on his or her back -- a position they typically do not enjoy. Calm the rabbit. Some rabbits will immediately go into a trance, others will need a little help.

With the other, gently rub the head. This might send them into a trance immediately. Soon the rabbit will drop its head back and become immobilized.

If the feet are shaking, just touch them and they should stop. Part 3. Do whatever you need to quickly. Inspect, groom, or bandage your rabbit. Be ready for your rabbit to wake up. It can feel like your rabbit just exploded to life in your lap! Other rabbits wake up more slowly and like to have their head rubbed while waking [6] X Research source.

Hold the rabbit firmly and gently turn over when finished. Snuggle it for a moment. Put the rabbit down and pack away the supplies around you. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Related wikiHows How to. How to. About This Article.