Rabbits are unique pets indeed. As a beginner rabbit parent, it is quite hard to understand the behavior of rabbits. Anyway, they are cute, adorable, and most importantly gentle and patient pets.
Yes, the rabbit can see well in the dark because rabbits are crepuscular. It means they are very active in dusk and dawn. And take rest all day long. Both Pet and wild rabbits are active in the night and they can see in the dark.
However, in this article I will discuss the vision of the rabbit and how can you control your pet bunny the night in your house.
Do Rabbits Have Good Eyesight?
Rabbits are prey animals. Like all other prey animals, rabbits have very good eyesight and quick running speed. This is the key to their survival.
Like all other prey animals, their eye position is unique. As their eyes are in the side of their face, they have almost 360-degree vision. They have a very short blind spot like 9 degrees. That is why they can easily identify their food as well as their enemy.
Can Rabbits See in Complete Darkness?
Yes, rabbits can identify objects even in complete darkness. But they can not see clearly in the darkness like in the daylight. Rabbit eyesight can adjust at any light level. So, it doesn’t matter how deep the darkness, rabbit can adjust.
How Well Can Rabbits See in the Dark?
Rabbits are crepuscular. Their eyesight is a bit different from the human. You already know, rabbits can see in the dark. But the question is how well can rabbit see in the dark?
Rabbit has lot more rods cells than the human in their eye. Rods cell plays a crucial role to see in the dark. Since rabbit has higher rods cell than us, they can see more clearly in the dark.
Although rabbits can not see the object in the night very clearly like the daylight, it is good enough for them to find out their foods and habitat.
How Do a Rabbit’s Eyes Work?
Rabbit parents have a lot of confusion about the rabbit vision. Does the rabbit see the world like us? Anyway, rabbit eyes are very sensitive. Their eyes are almost 8 times sensitive than humans. Although they can not differentiate all the color spectrum like the humans. They can mainly identify blue, green, and yellow.
Since their eyes are in the lateral position, they get almost 360-degree vision. Since they have a very short blind area, they can easily identify their predators and protect them.
How Far Can Rabbits See?
Rabbits can see objects from a long distance. Since they have an almost 360-degree vision and can see objects from a mile away, they are far-sighted. Like all other prey animals, well-developed eye sight is one of the crucial organs for rabbits to protect themselves against predators.
Rabbits can understand the presence of predators like coyotes while they are grazing. And when they are certain about the presence of the predator, they run so quickly. In the wild, well-developed eyesight is the protecting organ for wild rabbits.
However, like wild rabbits, pet rabbits have well-developed eyesight and they can see the objects for a long way. But pet rabbits are comparatively less conscious than wild rabbits because of the security.
Mother Rabbit Stepping On Babies? Read the in-depth guide for the best solution here.
Are Rabbits Scared of The Dark?
No rabbits are not scared of the dark. Moreover, they become more active in the dark. Rabbits are crepuscular, not nocturnal. But they are comfortable in the dark. Most of the free-roaming pet rabbits are so active at the night.
Only the pet parents know how active the pet rabbits in night. They explore everywhere in search of food.
Do Rabbits Like the Dark?
Yes, rabbit-like the dark. They feel uncomfortable in the light at the night. Even it could be harmful to their vision if you keep your rabbit in the acute light for a long time. So, you should not keep your rabbit in the bright light especially at the night.
Should I Give My Rabbit a Night Light?
It is not necessary to give night light or dim light to the rabbit cage or hutch. But if you want to trace your bunny, you could give a night light near the hutch. But you have to make the hutch comfortable against the light.
Related: Planning for getting a bunny? read this article about the care for a house rabbit to clear the confusion.
How Can I Make My Rabbit Comfortable in the Dark?
It depends on where you keep your rabbits in the night. You could keep your rabbits in the outdoor hutch or indoor cage. Yes, rabbits are safe in the outdoor hutch but the protection of the hutch should be high against the predator. Weather is another fact though.
You don’t need to cover the hutch during the summer when the temperature is high. Because rabbits are vulnerable to high temperatures.
In the winter, you could cover the hutch with tarpaulin to airproof the hutch. Actually, darkness is not a fact here. your rabbit will be safe if other safety measures are ok.
Now, come to the indoor rabbit cage. You should turn out the light in the night. Because excess light is not good for the rabbit.
However, to make your rabbit comfortable, you could take some measures. Let’s talk briefly.
Get Another Bunny
In wild, rabbit lives in the territory and they go everywhere as a folk for security purpose. getting another bunny will make your existing bunny happy and calm.
Turn out the light
It would better to turn out the light. If you have a problem, then at least you could use a dim light then.
Keep the rabbits in another room
If you are living in a large house, it would be better to keep the rabbits in a separate room. Keeping the bunny in the bedroom is not a good idea at all.
Most of the pet rabbits are active almost all night. They chew everything when they feel bored and hungry. So, normally you will be disturbed.
Providing a lot of toys
There is no alternative to provide entrainment items to the bunny. Your rabbit will be happy and will be busy with the toy. For the single rabbit, you have to provide a toy to overcome loneliness.
Final Thoughts
Rabbits are crepuscular and prey animals. That is why their behavior is unique. I believe you have got a clear idea about the rabbit’s behavior in the darkness.
Thanks for reading and please don’t forget to share.
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