My bunny... again

Question
It's SO nice, to have this available.. specially since I'm a new bunny owner. I've used this system about 4 times now. Always helpful. Just wanted to express my graditude first.

In a pervious question it came out that my holland lop doe (3 months) was reaching sexual maturity... but in the last two days or so shes been pooping ALOT outside her cage. In an hour she'll leave single drops of about 10-20! She's never done this, EVER!  I've only ever seen her leave 1-3 drops in an hour.. and most days she leaves none.  

Also shes been hanging around my feet alot while at the computer.  When I let her out in the past she always ignored me and ran around, chewed on things... but lately all shes been doing is sitting between my feet and running around/between my feet. But only when Im on a chair...when I'm sitting the floor she doesn't do full circles around me... half circles a couple times in a row. Is there an explaination for this??

Answer
Dear Raeanne,

All the behaviors you describe are consistent with the onset of puberty.  She's marking her territory with her scented poops.  And she wants to be near you because she perceives you as her mate.  The circling and closeness are all courtship behaviors, and though they are cute, they will diminish once she's spayed.

Beware!  Once she starts circling, she may also start to spray you with urine.  This is a high compliment, as it means she is marking you as her own personal property that she adores above all.  But it's not all that pleasant.  

Again, that behavior will stop (if it starts) with a spay.

Remember to find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If you'd like to join a listserve all about rabbit care, health and behavior, consider EtherBun:

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

With more than 5000 members, it's a busy list.  But you can ask just about any question and many people will chime in with their experiences and answers.

That doesn't mean stop writing to AllExperts.  It just means that you can have bunny knowledge at your fingertips 24 hours a day from all over the world, if you so desire!  :)

Hope that helps!

Dana