Rabbit Vocalization

Question
Dr. Krempels, I rescued a Netherland Dwarf a little over a year ago.  So he is about 1 1/2 years old now.  He has a large 2 story condo in his own room, he gets gourmet salads twice a day, and tons of hay.  He is my second rescue (the first died from ovarian cancer).  I did not think rabbits were that vocal!  This little guy (healty according to my vet) seems to constantly have something to say to me.  When I play with him by waving strips of paper in front of him, he makes a little whimper sound, grabs the paper, piles it in one corner of his condo, then does a binky.  He does a lot of binkies! He does the bunny 500 and sometimes he scares me the way he jumps around.  He does not grunt, but he does make very low deep throaty noise, followed by whimper-like sounds as well.  He is healty, gets all the veggies and hay a rabbit could want, lives in a 2-story condo, and appears to be happy.  I have never seen him thump!  And I know he is happy with his little treats he gets.  He sometimes charges my hand when I reach in his cage (treat agressive?).  What could these little whimpers and throaty vocalizations mean?  He appears to be happy, but I just have to wonder.
Thank you.

Answer
Dear Kathleen,

Some rabbits are very vocal, and the precise meaning of the vocalizations depends on the situation.  If he's humming and running around your legs, he's singing his love/lust song.  If he's whimpering while batting things around that you give him, he might be annoyed, or he might be play-growling.  You'll sort of have to pay attention to the noises along with his body language and other behaviors to determine your little guy's particular vocabulary.

Most rabbits are more vocal when not neutered, though some remain very talkative even after The Big Snip.

Hope that helps!

Dana