Fur Loss and Meaningless Scratches

Question
Hi, when this wild rabbit came into my house and never wanted to leave, it was about 2-3 months old (rough guess by size), and since then, it has been a part of my family for about 7 months now. It has a really good bonding with me and is generally very well-behaved. It stays indoors all the time, colonizing one room and getting a few hours of play time around the house everynight.
Problem 1: Recently, I have noticed that the patch of fur on its back, which used to have a saddle shape defined by orange-tip dark grey fur, was shedding to show blad spots.  Bunny is still friendly and active as ever, but it took quite a few weeks for the bald spots to "change".  Some grey and white fur is growing out from the spots, but nothing like the orange-tips it had before.
Problem 2: Other than that, it is also "attacking" semi-moving objects with its claws, but it is actually not scratching the twigs I had given it.
Is my rabbit healthy or is it having physical and/or mental issues? Sorry, I cannot be more specific than this, since I am the loser-owner that do not know the gender or the breed of my rabbit. What I can tell you is this:
- about 9 months old
- has been this diet: fresh green veggies (60%) + other fresh veggies (corn, carrots, celery) (10%) + seeds&nuts (10%) + grass&alfalfa hay (10%) + fruits (10%)
- self litter-trained
- slim but toned body; quick movements
- grey undertone with orange tips on the back and sides of the body, plus a strip of orange at the back of its neck, white neck ring and black ear ring, beige strips on the legs, and beige belly; long ears, black eyes and long legs

Answer
Dear Anna,

You don't mention your geographic location, which would help me identify your bunny. But it sounds as if he might be an Eastern Cottontail.  If you can send a picture to me at dana@miami.edu I can make a more positive ID, especially if you give me your general locality.

The pouncing at moving objects is a sign of aggression that comes with sexual maturity.  It's kind of cute, isn't it?  :)  It can be defensive, and sometimes it can get a little out of hand (we have a picture of my husband's scratched, nipped legs from the cottontail at our house who wanted to be part of the family.)

The fur loss could be just shedding, or it could mean the bun needs a dose of Revolution (selamectin) for mites:

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

You can find a good rabbit vet here to help with that:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps.

Dana