Social behaviour

Rabbits have linear dominance hierarchies, with separate hierarchies within males and females. Agonistic interactions comprise threatening, abruptly running towards a conspecific (‘attacking’), chasing, and fighting. During fights, jumping at each other, boxing (hitting with the front paws), ripping (kicking each other with the hind legs), carousel-fights (rapid chasing around and around in one spot), biting, and scratching can occur.

Agonistic interactions can take place in the context of rank fights, protection of the territory and of underground burrows, and in the context of sexual behaviour.