1. Urine Marking:
* Urine Spraying: Male rabbits, especially when trying to attract females, spray urine to mark their territory. They do this by lifting their rear end and aiming their stream of urine at vertical surfaces like walls, trees, or rocks. This leaves a strong, distinctive odor.
* Urine Droplets: Both male and female rabbits may deposit small droplets of urine around their territory. This can be done by simply squatting and urinating in a specific location.
2. Scent Glands:
* Chin Gland: Located under the rabbit's chin, this gland secretes a waxy substance that the rabbit rubs on objects. They do this by pushing their chin against surfaces to leave their scent. This is a common way for rabbits to mark objects within their territory.
* Anal Glands: While not directly involved in scent marking, anal glands produce a pungent secretion used for defense. Rabbits may release this scent when feeling threatened or scared.
3. Feces:
* Cecotropes: Rabbits produce two types of feces. One is the typical hard, dry feces you see in the litter box. The other is called a cecotrope, which is soft and sticky. Rabbits eat these cecotropes to re-absorb nutrients not initially extracted during digestion. They may also deposit these cecotropes around their territory to mark it.
4. Other Behavioral Markers:
* Scratching: Rabbits may scratch at surfaces with their paws to leave behind scent from their feet.
* Nosing: Rubbing their noses on objects is another way rabbits mark their territory.
Why do rabbits mark their scent?
Rabbits use scent marking for several reasons:
* Territorial Defense: They use scent to establish and defend their territory from other rabbits.
* Communication: Scent markings can convey information about the rabbit's sex, age, and reproductive status.
* Attraction: Male rabbits use scent to attract females.
It's important to note that rabbits are very social animals and use scent marking to maintain a complex social structure within their colony.