What to do with a biter?

Question
I was given a unclaimed "lost" young male.  His testicles are just starting to be visible.  He had been hiding under cars in the neighborhood.

He is very tame and comes up to you and lets you pick him up.  He would stay on your lap and let you pet him for long periods.  Only problem is he bites and chews your hand.  I suspect this to be the reason why he was roaming the streets.

Today he even drew blood.  Of course I could just stop petting him but he is sooo mellow except for the biting.  He even lets me put him on his back on my lap and pet his stomach.  Don't know if he bites because he doesn't like what I'm doing or if he's just a biter.  It's not just a single bite all the time.  Many times he chews.  Not exactly painful but certainly not pleasant.

Other than yelling ouch I haven't done anything.  He doesn't bite hard enough for me to jerk my hand away.

Answer
Dear Tom,

If this little guy is just now old enough for his testicles to descend, it's not likely that he's aggressive.  He's just "talking with his teeth."  And when a bunny chews at you, he's usually telling you to stop what you're doing.  If he's in your lap, it may mean that he wants to be put down.  But if it's chewing, it's "conversation," and not aggression.

Still, this behavior should be discouraged by your pulling away and even giving him a little squirt with a water bottle if he's persistent.  Neutering can be done now, and this will certainly help calm him and might even stop the biting/chewing very quickly.

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I'm glad you're being patient with this little guy.  What a great bunny dad!  It seems that he's found just the right place to be himself, develop his personality, and not be dumped again just because he's "tooth talkative."  ;)

Hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana