Rabbits, like cats, are crepuscular. From the House Rabbit Society:
Rabbits are actually "crepuscular", meaning they are most active in the twilight hours of both sunrise and sunset.
This is because before becoming domesticated, rabbits evolved as a prey species for thousands of years. Evolutionarily it was safest for rabbits to leave the safety of their burrow and forrage for food in the transition between day and night when the light is dim. This is the time when nocturnal (night) predators such as owls can't see well because of too much light, and when diurnal (day) predators such as foxes, can't see well because it is too dark. Smart bunnies!
I did not know this. Actually, I hadn't had reason to think about it one iota before Leo came along. This works out well because cats are also crepuscular. So Leo and Pinchita, his feline roommate, are roughly in sync.
We usually keep Leo in his cage during the day so he can snooze without being bothered by or fussed at by Pinchi, who seems to be a little more active than Leo during the daytime. The other day, however, he looked interested in being out and about so I let him out. He bopped around for a while and then settled in for what I call his (and the cats') daytime nap, i.e., when they snooze the day away, from approximately after breakfast to somewhere between 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.. He likes to hang out in this one spot between the chairs and under a table. Sometimes in the bed there, sometimes just al fresco:
Right now I have the book, Pet Projects: The Animal Knits Bible by Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne, checked out from the library. I was thinking of knitting the tortoise hibernation tent for Leo. I thought he might like to hang out in there. Now I'm wondering if I can just take advantage of that table's crossed legs, which is what the tent calls for, and make a tent out of that since he likes so much to sit there. I could knit it or sew it. I think I'll fix up some fabric over it and see if he likes it. If he does, I'll make him a proper tent. The original has one flap door; I think I'd make two flap doors so that he can get out either way. And I won't put the ties on it because, well, he's not going to tie himself in and out and Pinchi won't be tempted by the loose yarn (Leo's got no front teeth so he's not a chewer).
I'll close with him in his auxiliary bed:
What a nice looking rabbit! That looks like a cozy little corner for him to rest in. I may have to take this idea as well! My rabbit likes to hide when he rests.
Thanks!
Posted by: Cactus Facts | 12/02/2011 at 02:11 PM