Rabbits can make excellent pets, but did you know there are quite a few differences between male and female rabbits?
A male rabbit is called a buck, while a female is known as a doe.
The size and weight of the rabbit depend on its breed. However, often the doe will actually be bigger than the buck.
Regardless of size, the head and body of the buck are usually more stocky and solidly built than the doe.
Both males and females can have dewlaps under their chin, which are simply folds of skin filled with some fat.Does tend to have larger, more noticeable dewlaps than male rabbits.
Since appearances vary, to tell the difference between bucks and does we need to look at their genitals.
Rabbits will become sexually mature at between four to eight months depending on their breed and size. Does mature earlier on than bucks.
There are many difference between male and female rabbits’ personalities. However, it’s important to remember that these are generalizations and won’t always apply.
The domestic rabbit’s wild ancestors live in groups. Wild rabbits tend to be quite territorial and establish a hierarchy, with more dominant rabbits at the top.
Wild female rabbits become more aggressive around breeding time, with fighting between females being a common occurrence.
This behavior is innate, meaning it comes naturally to them. In captivity does will usually be more aggressive than bucks as a result, especially if they’re housed together.
Female rabbits can also be more aggressive to their owners, especially when you’re coming into their living area.
Male rabbits tend to be calmer, less territorial, and have fewer destructive habits. This is likely because in the wild they aren’t the ones primarily defending their nest.
Males also spend more time outside of the warren, so as pets they’re less likely to be so territorial.
In general, male rabbits are more likely to be friendly and connect with you quickly. They tend to be more inclined to seek out attention and affection from their owners.
On the other hand, does can take a while to warm up to you and may not be as naturally affectionate. They can be more stubborn and less likely to trust their owners until they bond with them.
Male rabbits will mount other rabbits, animals, and other items in your home to try to ‘hump’ them.
They are simply mimicking the sexual behavior they would display in the wild. They may also be trying to assert dominance.
Female rabbits will display this behavior far less often, but this depends on the rabbit. Usually, when females are mounting, it’s to try to show dominance.
Sometimes neutering or spaying your rabbit can help to reduce the behavior, but this isn’t guaranteed.
Intact males (meaning those who have not been neutered) can be prone to sexual aggression. If there is a female rabbit in the home, they will go to great lengths to get to her and can be aggressive in trying to mate her.
It’s crucial to keep intact male rabbits and female rabbits away from each other to keep everyone safe and to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It’s best to spay and neuter your rabbits to stop these issues
Spraying refers to a rabbit urinating in places around the room or their enclosure. This is a natural behavior inherited from their wild ancestors.
Both male and female rabbits will spray, but it’s more commonly seen in males. Getting your rabbit neutered can help to reduce this behavior.
Aside from spraying, rabbits can also exhibit other destructive behavior. Both male and female rabbits exhibit digging behaviors, as this is something they would do in the wild.
Females are more likely to display destructive digging in the home. This is because they are the ones who do a lot of the digging to make burrows that are part of the warren in the wild.
Both male and female rabbits have the innate need to chew. Their teeth are constantly growing, so they need to chew to stay healthy. Chewing also prevents boredom.
If you don’t give your rabbit items to chew on, they will chew on anything in their environment. This includes your floor and furniture.
Most rabbits take to litter training quite quickly and fairly well. The process of litter training is usually quite simple, but intact bucks and does are harder to litter train.
Male rabbits may be tougher to litter train because of the urge to spray we discussed earlier. Neutering male rabbits tends to make litter training much easier.
Getting your rabbit neutered or spayed can reduce some of the sex-specific behaviors we’ve discussed, and is better for their health.
Neutered male rabbits are less likely to spray, hump excessively, and are easier to litter train.
Spayed female rabbits are less likely to be aggressive and territorial, and are less prone to destructive behavior.
Male and female rabbits’ differences may leave you wondering which is a better pet. The truth is they both have pros and cons. So, it’s really down to preference.