I tell many jack rabbit stories. Jack rabbits inhabit my back yard for months at a time. So I see a lot of their behavior.
The jack rabbit is a night critter. In the day time they find a quiet safe place. The safe place is where nothing can approach them from the back. In other words they put their butt against a fence. They can see if a predator is coming from the side or front. The spend the daytime quietly sleeping , grooming, stretching, nibbling on near by plants or wander around the yard a bit. Grooming takes most of the time.
I've had two jack rabbits inhabit my yard separately from August to December. They are there 90% of the time. They do not share. I happened to look out my window in mid Oct. and two animals were having a little tiff. One animal left and it was the one who'd been there a couple of months. The second one stayed until about 2 weeks ago.
So the horse antics. I happened to see the animal arrive one morning. First , it would run quickly for 4 or five meters and then put on the brakes and sit for about 5 seconds. Then it would run back and twist and curve. Then it would jump up and down on the spot.. What amazed me most is when it rolled on it's back with feet flailing in the air. Horses do this but I've never seen any other animal roll onto it's back.
So I was privileged to see some interesting behavior.
Dogs and cats do it. I have seen fox kits do it. Not sure about other animal. I would have to think about it.
ReplyDeleteSounds more fun than watching an original Bugs Bunny cartoon. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating. Maybe the rolling on the back is a form of scratching to alleviate itches.
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy watching your jackrabbit! Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI have seen rabbits quickly run about and put the brakes on but never roll onto their back. I was curious enough that I googled to see why rabbits roll onto their back!
ReplyDeleteYou do what you got to do when your back has an itch.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what cauises animals to make such antics. Must be a reason for it.
ReplyDeleteNice, cheap entertainment.
ReplyDeleteWell, I do not know anything about jack rabbits, Red, but sounds like they put on an interesting show for you!
ReplyDeleteThere was a green space below the balcony of my condo and that's where I first saw jackrabbits fighting. It was intense and a reminder that they're not cute bunny rabbits but wild animals that fight to mate and survive. I love watching them.
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