Demeanour |
The rabbit is looking around , is alert and responsive to the surrounding environment OR the rabbit is asleep . |
The rabbit is awake but shows little interest in the surrounding environment . |
The rabbit is dull and is not responsive to the observer or surrounding environment . |
The rabbit is unresponsive to the observer or surrounding environment even if approached . |
Locomotion |
The rabbit is active and hopping around the area OR is relaxed or asleep . |
The rabbit appears hesitant to move and shows little activity . |
The rabbit is inactive and does not move during the observation period , except when approached . |
The rabbit is inactive and does not move at all , even when approached . |
Posture |
The rabbit is resting in a relaxed and comfortable posture e . g . lying on a flank or on its front with its hind legs to the side , or is moving freely OR the rabbit is asleep . |
The rabbit is sitting or lying on its front with visible fore legs . |
The rabbit is sitting or lying on its front with its legs under its body and appears hunched . |
The rabbit is sitting or lying on its front with its legs under its body , and the body looks tense , stiff and hunched OR the rabbit is pressing its abdomen against the ground . |
Ears * * Take in consideration that lop-eared rabbits may show less pronounced changes |
The rabbit moves its ears freely and turns them towards sounds OR the rabbit is asleep . |
The rabbit moves and slightly turns its ears towards sounds . |
The rabbit does not obviously move its ears , but reacts slightly to sounds ( e . g . with a head turn ). |
The rabbit does not move its ears at all and does not react to sounds OR the ears are flattened against its back . |
Eyes |
The rabbit has its eyes open OR the rabbit is asleep . |
The rabbit keeps its eyes semi-closed . |
The rabbit keeps its eyes closed . |
The rabbit keeps its eyes closed and tightened . |
Grooming |
The rabbit is meticulously grooming itself OR the rabbit is asleep . |
The rabbit is grooming but gets distracted easily . |
The rabbit is attempting grooming , but with little energy . |
The rabbit is not grooming at all . |