Bunny Trance!

[leyley904]

This is Benny in 'trance mode' He is so cute! All I do is rub both cheeks and his nose at the same time. He sort of just falls asleep. To wake him up I just flip him over. Beans won't lay on his back so I can't get him any where close to going into trance mode!

[Heady]

That is adorable! The second picture is my favorite I miss having bunnies!

[Hawise]

So cute! I'd like to try that with mine but there is no way she'll let me put her on her back!

[wigglesgiggles1]

Too cute! I want a bunny so badly.

[leyley904]

I'll make sure to tell Benny that everyone thinks he's such a cutie! It will be his little ego booster for the day!

[wigglesgiggles1]

Haha! He is so laid back.

[VoodooJoint]

Sorry to tell you but you should not be putting your rabbit into trance. The trance they go into is a survival instinct that is actually quite dangerous for them and is normally used as a last resort. It's designed to fool prey into believing they are dead so they stop the attack and allow the rabbit the chance of escape.

In actuality the rabbit's blood pressure drops dangerously low while in this state and when they "wake" their blood pressure skyrockets and allows them a sudden burst of adrenaline that would aid in a hasty escape. This explosion of blood pressure could (and has been known to) cause a heart attack which can kill your rabbit.

Now that you know it's dangerous I hope you won't put your rabbit into trance any more.

[Hawise]

Thanks VoodooJoint, I did not know that. I will tell the bunny owners I know.

[wigglesgiggles1]

Wow! I learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing your knowlage VJ.

[leyley904]

Oh my gosh!!! Wow, I'm totally speechless! I had no clue whatsoever! I definatly won't do it again!

I'm not at all questioning what you said, I totally believe you. But, why does he do it when I pet him? He doesn't seem frightened at all. Rabbits are so difficult to understand.

If you would like to delete this post so that people who are just passing through and don't read it all won't do it, I totally understand.

[VoodooJoint]

It happens because you flip him over on his back. Rabbits never lie on their backs naturally. The petting helps induce the trance.

No need to delete this. It's already educated a few people about this strange phenomena. It may help save a rabbit if we leave it up.

[leyley904]

Okay, thanks so much!

[princesspoppy]

I know nothing about rabbits so i'm curious. How does rubbing cheeks and nose put them into a trance ? Is there anything we shouldn't do with pigs. My poppy has started to actually flip onto her side with legs up in the air when i do lap time, it's kind of like a half a popcorn flip and boom,plonks onto her crook on my arm so that i'll scratch her tummy. Is that ok ?

[VoodooJoint]

As far as I know there is nothing similar to worry about with pigs.

[princesspoppy]

Thanks good to know.

[suzilovespiggie]

Wow, I have had rabbits for a long time and did not know this. Thank you so much.