Spazzy Izzy the Bunny

DiamondPuppy0809 · February 2009

-Ahem- Well, my friend got a bunny soon after I did. She's a brown medium-sized female (unkown breed, besides that she's lop). I believe she got her from Petland. When they got her, apparently no one really wanted her only because she had a bite out of her ear from the other rabbits that seemed to bully her around. So, they decided to take in the little tortured soul. I heard Vamp's (was it Vamp?) story about trying to get her bunny out from under the bed using snake noises, and when she picked up the bunny it bit her thinking it was a snake. Did that happen? Just curious. I read it somewhere on these crazy forums xD Well, they've named their bunny Izzy. Not too long after adopting Izzy, they got a female snake. I think the snake can get up to... 5 feet long. I'm not sure. And I can't remember her name either. Izzy is a real spazz. She bites, kicks, thumps, screams, hisses, and is a downright bad rabbit. They've fought with her for a while. They can't even pick her up a foot off the ground without her kicking and trying to bite. My friend told me they're thinking of giving her away. I'd take her if I had room for another bunny or if she got along with other bunnies, but considering her history, I don't think she'd do well with my male bunny, Remi. Anyway, my mom and I were talking and considered the fact that maybe Izzy is so spazzy is because she's badly afraid. Bunnies are terrified of snakes--snakes being their natural enemy and predator and all. So, we thought that perhaps their snake and its scent was scaring Izzy so bad she was afraid of her owners even touching her while it and its scent was still in the house with her. I'm pretty sure it's the problem, but when I talked to my friend about it, she just sort of dismissed the idea. I think she should've at least talked about it a bit with her family and discussed the fact that being a non-interactive and socialable bunny could hurt Izzy, but I don't think she will... not sure, but... well, I'm not sure. Anyhow, is this a possible hypthesis? Could Izzy be so badly afraid of their snake that she's refusing to be touched? She even spazzes when they grab her food, waterdish, etc. out of her cage. I think the snake's the problem. Your opinion?

Minx · February 2009

haha! yes it did! she scratched the snot out of my arm too xDDD and i would DEFINITALLY believe thats the reason. Animals can sense things like that. Her instincts are telling her theres a snake and if anything touches her she's most likely thinking that this snake is after her.

Boz · February 2009

"Izzy is a real spazz. She bites, kicks, thumps, screams, hisses, and is a downright bad rabbit. They've fought with her for a while. They can't even pick her up a foot off the ground without her kicking and trying to bite. " Meet Marley.

Marley was exactly that way when hormones hit (about 3-4 months old). I have scars from Marley doing exactly what you described. I still can't pick her up without her kicking (and she's also 12 lbs so that makes it even harder!). Female rabbits can get the way you described when they hit the "teenage" years. Spaying them helps a LOT. Marley is not spayed yet so she still her "grumpy" moments. I have a feeling her grumpiness will gradually disappear (as it has already). Although she grunts at me, stomps, sometimes kicks, and nips at me she is also very loving. She'll run up to me to get pet and she LOVES being pet. She'll just sit there while you give her head scratches. She also is a huge begger and will beg for treats. She'll usually grunt when I give her a treat as if to say "It's about time!" xD I think one thing that also helps rabbits is having a routine. Rabbits do amazing with a set routine (or from what I've experience and heard from others). Domino has always been really shy and never wants to come up to you. Since I started a routine she's only gotten braver and now she'll come right up to you and beg for treats and take treats from you. She does back away if you try to pet her but I don't push it. I'm just happy she's so much more outgoing and friendly and wanting to come up to me and other people!

Okay I think I went a little off topic. xDD Anyway, how old is the bunny? It really sounds like teenage hormones to me. Marley is now about 15 months old and has calmed down quiet a bit. Also, how big is the cage it's in? Rabbits can also get that way if kept in a small cage.

DiamondPuppy0809 · February 2009

I'm not sure. It's an ordinary petland rabbit cage. Not the really small one that they always say is "really cruel and I would never use" (hello, then why would you try and sell them for other peoples' pet rabbits?) and is a fair size. They take her out a lot when they can pick her up, too xD She's still a young bunny, I'd assume. She was there a little bit longer than bunnies neccessarily should be, but not totally unwanted and in the petstore for like five months+ Vamp: I think it might be partially the snake, partially her gender (female), and partially her history of being bullied and attacked by other bunnies that didn't accept her.

Boz · February 2009

She could be hormonal. If she was there, say 6 months and when the petstore got her she was 2 months already that'd make her at 8 months. Marley was really bad still at about that age. Izzy also could be spooked by the snake.

Not sure though. Is there anyway they can let her out without picking her up? Rabbits not liking to be picked up is normal. Rabbits are prey animals and when they are picked up (especially improperly) they can feel as if they are being preyed on. I read somewhere (and I really hope it's true) that a lot of times rabbits like Marley turn out to be really sweet and loving when they are older. I really hope it's true. xD

UnknownDreamland · February 2009

And the fact that she was in -Pet Land- could add to the fear. She was most likely never handled, or handled a small amount. She was constantly dealing with other rabbits bullying her, and little kids knocking on the glass window, I'd be scared too. But being hormonal and having a snake in the house will certainly not help.

DiamondPuppy0809 · February 2009

Thanks for the help guys. And, yes, I know, Dreamy. Petland is a terrible place, honestly. x.x I like to get hamster/rabbits there because I'd hate for them to be left there forever :[ But in the same way, I'm also supporting Petland which I hate. Ugh. Never a win-win situation, eh? Hmph.

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Spazzy Izzy the Bunny

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