Volume 5, Issue 1 - Februrary 2005

Bunny Diversions: Living Large in a Top Notch Bunny Habitat
by Cindy Eley

Welcome to the home of Zebby, Katy, Tasha and Velvet.

At one time these four rabbits lived together quite happily. However, as the two, young, newcomers to the group (Tasha and Velvet) matured, they began to challenge Katy's position as the alpha rabbit. After a confrontation between Katy and Tasha that resulted in a serious injury to Katy, it was clear that the two pairs had to be separated.

They all share an 8x11 room in our basement. There are two enclosures linked together that encircle Tasha and Velvet's area with a gate that locks to ensure no rabbit finds their way into the "wrong" side. Their enclosure divides the vinyl floored room in half and the common wall has a layer of cardboard followed by three panels of bead board (wainscot height) that all slide easily for access. It seems that as long as no bunny can see into each other's side, every bunny is content and happy!

Each area has a three story cardboard condo with a tunnel (tube) running through the bottom floor. All of the rabbits have a wide assortment of toys and smaller cardboard boxes to play with. Funny how they all favor the toys with bells when, in their opinion, Mom is too slow to offer a treat or bring their meals!

In addition, Zebby and Katy have two large juice boxes to play and hide in while Tasha and Velvet have a second two-story condo and an igloo (covered kitty litter box). Both areas are very spacious and provide plenty of room for exercise and the tearing up of cardboard!

When I work in the basement office, Zebby and Katy come out to run and do binkies. And when I work in the upstairs kitchen/family room, it's Tasha and Velvet's turn. Our two Siamese cats prefer to stay at arms length from all of the rabbits (especially Katy as she has head-butted Pantera from behind)! However, sometimes curiosity will get the better of the cats and they will allow a rabbit to touch noses with them. The cats seem to know that the rabbits have the upper hand!

I'd like to believe that if our four rescued rabbits could talk that they would say they found a really nice place to call home. I know that they would wish that every bunny could have an entertaining, safe place to live!

Related stories of interest: