ABSTRACT
It is possible that the owner’s interpretation of ‘happily moving from one cage to another’ is not correct. Rabbits can be very territorial and does can be quite aggressive if another rabbit enters their territory; for example, when mating rabbits, a breeder has to ensure that the doe is placed in the buck’s hutch. In addition to territorial aggression, there are other motivations to be considered. There may have been aggression over a resource such as a food bowl or proximity to the owner (if the rabbits are attached to her). Rabbits can display aggression towards a conspecific if they are frightened by environmental stimuli. This is a displaced behaviour.
