my rabbit is acting weird and making noises Ive never heard.

Question
My kindergarten classroom has a rabbit (Big Foot)and she has been acting unusual. I often pet pet her, let her hop around on our bunny leash, and allow her to play with rabbit toys in her cage. However when a fellow teacher went to pet her this morning she made a funny noise, and lunged at her (trying to bite).

the only difference in care is that we gave her a hay ball, and she seems very irritated ever since. Any ideas on what is going on with this usually very affectionate and loving rabbit?! (She also keeps her ears pinned back)

Many Thanks
Becki

Answer
Hi Becki. Your rabbit has become very territorial of her space. This is not uncommon in adult unspayed females. The growling and pinning of the ears is a definite sign of aggression. The addition of the hay ball may have stimulated her nesting instinct and it may have just been a coincidence in timing. Be very careful of allowing the children to put their hands in her cage now. I had a female rabbit bite through the thick bottom portion of my thumb once, clear to the bone. Though rabbits are usually very docile and good natured this is not something to disregard. The bunny should be just fine when out of her cage and in unfamiliar or shared territory but her cage may have to be off limits to the children for now. I do suggest that you have her spayed. It is not 100% effective in curing this situation but usually does. Even if Big Foot should return to her good natured self you will never know when she may have another episode, and they can be lightening fast and grab an unsuspecting person in no time. I wish you well with this and am sorry that you and the children had this experience. Getting her spayed should solve things.  Keep in touch and let me know what happens.    Pat