Unlocking the Bonding Mystery: Part III

   Being complex creatures, we need to respect the way bunnies welcome other bunnies into companionship. After studying wild hares and rabbits in  their natural areas, I can attest to their social hierarchy and patterns for welcoming new comers into their packs. Highly dependent on olfactory and auditory senses, rabbits gather information and evaluate potential friends and enemies. The third most relied upon sense is visual. Bunnies being bonded in a house setting must be in  close proximity to potential mates in order to see them well and distinguish behaviors. Using lateral monocular vision rabbits will often position themselves so one eye is focused toward the other bunny. Observing habits around valuable resources including food, water, safe zones, and the potty area provides optimal information. Communication between bunnies consists of consistent reassurance of friendliness as demonstrated with submissive stances as well as exposing body sensitive parts within close proximity to one another and expressing vulnerability by eating and pottying in close range. Demonstrations of relaxation, weight shifting, deep sleep rotations, shape morphing, etc all indicate visual cues for other rabbits. The optimal sign of acceptance being lowered head facing forward. Placing the blind spot toward the other bunny communicates trust and willingness to befriend. Partnering rabbits means understanding the levels of their dependency on sensorial input.