Rabbits are expressive animals and their characteristic drooping ears are one of the many ways used to express feelings. Some postures, such as pointing the ears back, can have multiple meanings. That's why sometimes you need to pay attention to your rabbit's general body language to see what it's communicating.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Happy Signals
Step 1. Notice if the rabbit is happy by looking at its folded back ears
When the ears are folded down on the head and crossed behind the back, the rabbit is resting. That means, the rabbit is satisfied.
If the ears are folded behind the head, but not touching, this could mean the rabbit is scared. Watch his body language to determine if the rabbit is resting or restless. If his eyes are half closed and he's lying down, the rabbit is probably feeling happy. But if it growls, maybe the rabbit is angry and scared
Step 2. Watch the exhausted rabbit from its slightly drooping ears
When resting from a sporting activity, your rabbit will hold its ears straight back, instead of fully crouching down. This is a semi-relaxed pose and generally means the rabbit wants to rest before returning to exercise.
Step 3. Observe the happy rabbit from the ear twitch and jump
If the rabbit shakes its ear and then jumps, it means it's excited about something. Often times, that means an invitation to play. Other times, the rabbit may be excited about being fed.
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Attention Seeking Signals
Step 1. Recognize if the rabbit wants to ask for food from its ears that are standing up straight
When alert, rabbits tend to sit on their hind legs, and their noses and ears up. Pet rabbits are often in this position when they want to attract the attention of their owners and ask for food.
Rabbits can be as bad or worse than dogs when it comes to begging for food. Avoid giving him sweets or sweets, or you'll see him begging more often
Step 2. Watch for signs of troubled ears from head-shaking behavior
If the rabbit shakes its ear and then starts scratching, it means it's trying to get something out of it. Often these are just harmless feathers. However, if the rabbit does this often, it is likely that he has fleas on his ears.
Step 3. Notice the difference between a resting rabbit and a frightened rabbit
If the rabbit's ears are pressed against his head but not touching, it could be a sign that he is scared, not resting. When you're scared, your rabbit will likely roll its eyes and show its teeth. In addition, rabbits will often stomp their feet.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Rabbits Interaction with Their Environment
Step 1. Pay attention to the ear that is on alert, that is, the one that stands up straight and/or twitches
When its ears are raised in the air or twitching, it means that the rabbit is listening to something carefully. Generally, this means he is alert and aware of something around him.
Step 2. Watch the half-alert rabbit with one ear up and the other down
When one ear stands up and the other falls down, the rabbit is listening to something and is trying to relax. This is a common behavior in rabbits enjoying their time out in the sun.
Step 3. Watch the curious rabbit by observing its raised ears
When interested in something, rabbits will usually stand on all fours and spread their tail and head. The rabbit's nose and ears will stretch forward to examine what is in front of it.
