Aggressive Harlequin

Question
I bought my second Harlequin rabbit at a rabbit show about three months ago. When I first got Leroy I kind of knew to expect him not to trust me right away. My first rabbit Tony was so easy to get to trust me. Leroy, however, after three months grunts and nips when I reach into his cage to clean his litter box or feed him. I'm at the point where I have to where gloves and a towel across my chest if I want to pet or handle him. I don't understand because I treat him equally to my other rabbit and he still hates me. I'm starting to think that maybe the people I bought him from were cruel to him. Is that a possibility? I just don't like being bit. What am I doing wrong?

Answer
Dear Tori,

You're not doing anything wrong.  Leroy just has a very different personality from Tony.  He's a bit fearful, and is being "cage aggressive"--a sign that he's insecure and defensive.  This is not insurmountable, and there are some excellent tips on how to cure a bunny of aggression here:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggression.html

Please also see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

since part of his problem is fear.  If possible, provide a cage where you can put your hands in without making him feel threatened.  That's the main problem:  he's perceiving a threat where there isn't one.  You just need to take a few steps to help him learn that you are his friend.

I hope this helps.

Dana