Odd Bunny Behavior

Last night Rory exhibited some behavior that has us concerned.  We couldn't find him for a bit.  At
first we were not too concerned since he has been doing a lot of that lately.  We finally found him
in our dining area backed into a corner.  The corner is the furthest point from his 'room'(our master
bath)  He looked terrified and was continuing to back himself up like something was after him.  We
could not find anything for him to be frightened of.  We do have woods near us and some prairie  
not too far.   We have had a snake get in the house before and there is some sort of critter that
has been living in my bedroom at times.  I think it is a mouse.  I will think Rory is out because I hear
movement.

We could not lure him out with apple.  That is his favorite nom.  Hubby finally got to him and brought
him into my room and placed him under the covers.  The poor little mite was cold as ice and terrified.
He stayed under the covers for at least half an hour.  He was still refusing noms though.  I could not 
find any bites or scratches on him.  He refused his pellets but tucked into fresh hay when Hubby
gave him a big bunch.

My question is what sort of household things can bunnies get scared of?    That part of the house
is currently quite cluttered so it is possible that there could be a lizard or heaven forbid a snake.  Our
11 yr old granddaughter is here but she is exceptionally good with animals.  Rory even gave her a nose 
touch on her nose the first day she was visiting this time!  He loves to be around people but is still
wary of hands.  Do they get afraid of shadows?  Drafts?  Bright lights?  Cats or dogs coming to windows?
They have such incredible senses of smell.  Could they be frightened of a smell?  My son had been
outside doing yard work and could have brought a scent in on his clothes.  

After loosing Thumper to a heart attack from fear at the vets I'm so concerned about my little guy.
Any ideas?

Poor Rory! And poor you guys It is horrible when there is something bothering them but you don't know what it is so can't make it stop/go away.

It could be any number of things, unfortunately. He will hear all sorts of things that you and your husband can't, including things outside.

If I were you I'd have a good poke around and check there isn't anything hiding away somewhere in the house.

Thumper was TERRIFIED of insects, particularly spiders and slugs! Could it simply be a harmless spider? I'm sure Thumper can't have been the only bunny afraid of them.

How is he today?

Oh gosh, poor Rory!

I have no idea what it could have been as, like Thumper2001 has said, they hear and even sense so much more than us!

I can only agree and suggest a good look to try and uncover anything it could have been...

Im wondering if there could have been something outside that he smelled? 

Daisy can tell if one of next doors cats are about even if I cant see it at first.

He also got frightened once when I cam in the house after petting my friends dog.

Is he ok now?  Eating and being his normal self?

There will be something he can smell or a noise he can hear, maybe he could hear an animal scream in a distance as it's suprising just how far they can hear. Or maybe with him backing into a corner like that it is something in the home and obviously he can smell it. I would keep a close eye on him as he may well react to a certain room which is making him uncomfortable and then you will know if there is something in there.

awww poor rory and you guys
there are sometimes noises or smells they sense that we do not xx

Is it worth tucking a few small boxes in unobtrusive corners, so if / when he does feel scared he has somewhere that he feels really secure to hide away?

Lots of smooshes for Rory 

I am wondering if there is something physical going on. You say he has been hiding a lot recently which could be a sign of discomfort. How are his poos?

Thanks guys! I had forgotten how frightened your Thumper was of spidees. We get HUGE ones that will actually chase you. Some can be 4-5 inches across legs included. I'm not talking about the large but wimpy looking Granddaddy long legs kind but the big hairy tarantulas and wolf spiders. I'd be backed up in the corner! Screaming! Those tarantulas can jump over 6 feet!

Tonight I also saw a new stray kitty. It was black with big yellow eyes. Rory will sit and look out the French doors and the cat could have sneaked up unseen until the last minute.

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:I am wondering if there is something physical going on. You say he has been hiding a lot recently which could be a sign of discomfort. How are his poos?

He's still not quite himself but our schedule has changed and that is probably why. His poos are fantastic! All nice and full of hay! Sir-Poops-Alot is living up to his name! It's almost 0430 here and he is pushing his ceramic bowl around on the ceramic flagstone tile and it is ringing so loud it awakened me. He's back into his hay now just munching away. Perhaps I can get back to sleep.

Thanks again all!

I hope he is better love.  Sometimes Binky Boo will just sit bolt upright for no reason known to us, loooking frightened.  A fox could perhaps be walking past our window and he knows it is there.

Is it the wolf spiders who jump Gentle love?  I  have a pet curly haired tarantula so I am interested in them.. She is a little sweetie but I know there are some types which are horrid.

Hugs

Jo xx

Both the tarantulas and wolf spidees jump and both bite. The venom isn't overly toxic, but you know you have been bit. On rare occasions a tarantula from further south will make it this far north by jumping on a vehicle and some of those have venom that can cause humans problems. Wolf spiders are aggressive or they make a good show of it by raising their front legs and posturing, then charging.

We moved stuff around and found several large wolfies. Problem solved I hope. We do have brown recluse(fiddlebacks) and their venom is toxic. If it bit would probably kill Rory as they can kill humans or at least make them deathly ill.

Thank you for your reply love.  As much as I love Fluffy, I am sorry that spiders are such a problem for you.  If they were wild here and dangerous, I wouldn't be tolerant especially if my pets are being threatened,  it would be a "take no prisoners" policy.

Is the Fiddleback the same as the violin spider? if so, I know that these are horrid grumpy things whose venom is very dangerous and if they were even remotely dangerous to my little ones, I am afraid they would be destroyed.

Hugs

JO xx