Musings on Mounting

Mounting (more euphemistically called humping) is a very common behavior among rabbits, most often combined with circling and/or buzzing (or honking). Whenever two rabbits are introduced as potential breeding or bonding partners, you will most certainly be thrust into the world of mounting (I'm so sorry...I couldn't keep that pun from popping out.)

Mounting is almost always an indicator of sexual maturity and interest in breeding. Bucks mount does and does mount bucks. They mount the backside, the head, even the sides when they get really confused. Mounting can involve one rabbit biting the other as they attempt to get a better grip and hold, necessitated by their very short front legs. Because of this, the fur can literally begin to fly as the rabbits may inadvertently pull clumps or tufts of fur as they take turns expressing dominance.

The mounting behavior can actually begin at a startlingly young age within a litter of young rabbits. We have seen rabbits as young as five weeks of age begin to mount each others. Typically there is one rabbit who starts the behavior and the others catch on. Once the babies are old enough to be weaned, we separate the instigators from each other, to prevent accidental injury before they go home with their new families. Scratches and occasional bites have been found on the skin of the less dominant babies, so we make every possible effort to separate them at a reasonable time.

Young rabbits can become sexually mature as young as 12 weeks of age, so care must be taken to separate the animals and prevent accidental breeding among littermates. Bucks should always be separated from does by 8-10 weeks of age.

Young bucks may be especailly persistent in “practicing” the mounting behavior, even if no other rabbits are present. Occasionally a buck will pounce upon someone’s foot or arm and work off the need to mount. If you see this behavior in your buck, it’s time to call the vet to arrange for his neutering procedure. Although he may be younger than the desired six months of age, it’s wise to have the appointment scheduled. In the meantime, giving him a small stuffed animal or small pillow “friend” may help him work off his frustrations until his neutering appointment occurs. Very seldom do does want a stuffed animal or small pillow of their own for mounting purposes, but we have had a couple over the years who have benefitted from this addition to their lives. After having a rabbit jump on your foot or arm and dig in with nails and (sometimes) teeth, please trust us when we tell you that sacrificing a small stuffed to the cause is a good thing.

The importance of spaying or neutering pet rabbits cannot be overstated when addressing the mounting behavior. Spaying does and neutering bucks will significantly reduce sexual mounting urges, leading to a calmer environment. Properly introduced and supervised, neutered or spayed rabbits are more likely to engage in healthy play and bonding behaviors rather than resorting to mounting.

When it comes to bonding a neutered buck with a spayed doe for companionship purposes, during the initial introduction period, great care should be taken to supervise all interaction. We always recommend following a gentle and very gradual bonding process, rather than something like stress bonding, because it allows the rabbits more time to grow accustomed to each other’s temperaments and habits over time and to learn how to tolerate them. Throwing two animals together over the course of a couple of days and calling them “bonded” is a recipe for disaster. We have been asked for advice after a previously “bonded” pair suddenly devolved into violence, with the doe biting the buck very hard in the genital area because she was so annoyed by his persistent mounting behavior.

It takes a doe several months to be ready to be bonded. Following her spay, which is rather akin to her going into full-blown menpoause at the drop of a hat, her hormone levels must be given time to decrease without adding the stress of an overeager buck constantly jumping at her from all angles. Conservatively, we suggest waiting three months for very gentle, mild-mannered does, and up to six months for older does with a more sensitive nature. This isn’t all one-sided, either. Bucks should have at least two full months, preferably three, to allow testosterone levels to decrease before beginning to bond him with an already spayed doe.

Once the hormone levels of both bunnies involved have more-or-less achieved the levels of pre-adolescence, mounting becomes more of an exercise in displaying dominance. Which one is going to be the Top-Bun, so to speak. Believe it or not, does usually win out on this one. They may seem to be more relaxed and not seem to care as much, but when the buck annoys her with repeated mountings, she will usually take a stand and mount him, which leaves him abashed and properly chastened. Be sure to monitor interactions closely and intervene gently if aggressive mounting occurs with techniques such as distraction or re-direction.

When rabbits are introduced repeatedly for bonding, mounting should ebb gradually, although it may flare up from time to time, even when fully bonded. As long as the rabbits have plenty of room and space to have their own areas for alone time, occasional mounting becomes part of their social interaction.

Conversely, rabbits housed together without spaces that each can claim as their own, are more likely to use mounting as a sign of aggression or stress. This is when things can become explosively violent.

Although mounting can be viewed as an amusing action, the rabbits involved are speaking volumes to each other through this shared interaction. Please take the time needed to fully bond with each of your rabbits, so that you know them as individuals and can assess their needs correctly. By knowing each of your rabbits well, you’ll be able to recognize their stress indicators and can help them decompress in a peaceful and loving manner, gently redirecting the mounting behavior towards some activity they can both enjoy together.