Randomly started humping again?

[Shmoo06]

Is this normal? I've kind of searched and I found a few threads. Tonight Stitch started randomly humping Mumbles, and Mumbles is not one to just take it, so he started to hump back. Basically it's like when I first put them together all over again. Is this something I should worry about? I did leave them for not quite 48 hours, so they were confined to their space. They were out sleeping in the living room area with me today and after a few hours I hear them and Stitch is trying to hump Mumbles. It's probably been about a month since I've seen this behavior. They're still kind of going at it, but there are moments when they're both just laying out and relaxing. It was just really random and one of those moments where I'm just like "really?"

Should I be worried about it tonight? while I sleep?

(I have had some wine, so I hope this makes sense)

 

[KittyKatMe]

How old are they? They're both boys, right?

 

[Shmoo06]

KittyKatMe wrote:

How old are they? They're both boys, right?

They were both born around February this year. They are both neutered(so yes, they are both boys).

 

[agnesthelion]

It's tough to really tell for sure what is going on.

With them both being less than a year old and then most obviously that makes them neutered less than 6 months ago or so, they could quite possible still be working out who is top bun.

It can take months,even up to a year, for rabbits to bond. Sometimes couples of the same sex can be more prone to spontaneous fighting or a bond breaking. Change in environment, a sick bun or buns that have never quite bonded can be known to still fight as well.

I would keep an eye on them. Humping is a pretty normal occurrence even in bonded buns. It's like they need to remind each other who the top bun is. The problems arise when they haven't quite worked it put and they both fight for that title. As long as there is no fighting, try to let them work it out.

 

[Shmoo06]

agnesthelion wrote:

It's tough to really tell for sure what is going on.

With them both being less than a year old and then most obviously that makes them neutered less than 6 months ago or so, they could quite possible still be working out who is top bun.

It can take months,even years, for rabbits to bond. Sometimes couples of the same sex can be more prone to spontaneous fighting or a bond breaking. Change in environment, a sick bun or buns that have never quite bonded can be known to still fight as well.

I would keep an eye on them. Humping is a pretty normal occurrence even in bonded buns. It's like they need to remind each other who the top bun is. The problems arise when they haven't quite worked it put and they both fight for that title. As long as there is no fighting, try to let them work it out.

Thank you! can you normally tell which one is the top bun? Honestly, I can't/couldn't tell. Stitch just always wants Mumbles to groom him and is constantly sticking his face near him/under him. I just kind of assume that he is the top bun. Maybe Mumbles didn't groom him enough, so Stitch is acting out, which causes Mumbles to try and hump back. lol.

I just locked them into their caged area, so we'll see how things go.

The humping has died down. I haven't seen any behavior that seems viscious, which I'm thankful for.

 

[Shmoo06]

Just took this pic of them.
Mumbles was cleaning Stitch and then right after, he started humping. It didn't last long, but they keep doing it.

 

[agnesthelion]

I think you could very well be right. If Stitch always wants grooming and doesn't get it.....supposedly in rabbit lingo that is very offensive.

You can try some applesauce on Stitches forehead to get Mumbles to groom him more. Sometimes that will appease the bun wanting grooming and then at the same time teach the groomer that it's good to groom his fellow bun

They are SO cute btw!

 

[Shmoo06]

The applesauce is a good idea! I don't have any atm, but I may have to get some. Although Mumbles doesn't really seem to get all that enthused over treats, so not sure how well it'd work. Now it seems like Mumbles is initiating more of the humping, and Stitch starts running after him sticking his head under him. lol. I really don't understand them. Still nothing vicious.

Thanks!
I see you live in Iowa. I work in Iowa. haha.

 

[agnesthelion]

Rabbits are hard to understand sometimes. I just bonded my two and their relationship has fascinated me on how detailed and intimate the courting is if only we could read their minds........

That's funny you work in Iowa! Not many iowans around here. Lol

 

[Shmoo06]

A bunny mind reader. I shall work on that. lol. No promises though.

I haven't seen any dominating behavior today! They must have worked it out over night. lol.