Book 11, Question 42
Why Do Rabbits Thump the Ground?
Rabbits thump the ground with their back legs to warn others of danger.
Rabbits thump the ground to warn each other! A rabbit stamps its strong back feet to make a loud thump. The thump travels through the ground, so other rabbits feel and hear it.
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Quick answers
What are rabbit burrows called?
Wild rabbits often live in big burrow systems called warrens.
Sources: animaldiversity.org, rspca.org.uk
More fun facts
- Wild European rabbits thump their back legs on the ground to warn others of danger.
- Scientists list vibrations as one of the ways rabbits communicate, along with sight, touch, sound and smell.
- Wild rabbits often live in groups of six to ten adults inside big burrow systems called warrens, so one warning can alert the whole group.
- Rabbits are usually silent, but they can let out loud screams when they are frightened or injured.
- Pet rabbits thump too, and it may mean they sense a threat, feel scared or frustrated, or are feeling unsettled.
- Rabbit experts call a thump that shows annoyance with a person a grump thump.
- A rabbit sitting tall with its ears up, on its hind legs or all fours, is likely on high alert.
Sources: animaldiversity.org, rspca.org.uk
Questions kids ask
What should I do if my pet rabbit thumps?
Check for anything that might be scaring it, like a loud noise or another pet, and give it a calm, quiet space.
Why do rabbits thump instead of calling out?
Rabbits are mostly quiet animals, so a thump on the ground is a fast way to warn others nearby.