Pet Forum / Mammals / Rabbits / July 2008

Zolo is doing well!  No way will Wizard push Zolo out of second spot!  
Zolo & Wizard are not only bonded comrades but also heated rivals.  Zolo
is a master of taijutsu, flying rabbit style!  When Wizard would not
groom him, Zolo hit him with a "flying head butt".  I could feel the
smack across the room!  I smeared banana across their foreheads, a trick
I learned here.  They spent the next 15 minutes grooming each other's
foreheads.  LOL

It's hard to tell exactly what is going on with Zolo & Wizard.  When I
passed by their cage late last night, Zolo & Wizard were sleeping next
to each other.  In the evening, when I set up the "Carrot Village", they
(I hope!) "play fight".  By this I mean, no fur pulling or biting.  When
I first saw them do this, I called, "ZOLO!".  They stopped, Wizard
circled, then licked Zolo's forehead. I figured if they were really
serious, a verbal command would not have made them stop.

Last night I watched.  Sweet little 2 1/2 pound "Baby Zolo", who puts
his head down for pets, starts it.  First they circle.  Then they jump
over one another.  They complete six to nine high speed jumps over each
other's backs.  Even though Wizard, pound for pound, is one of the
toughest rabbits I have ever handled, Zolo gains the upped hand!  Wizard
breaks first, and runs for the "Carrot Village". They zigzag back and
forth through the The Maze, The Cottage, and The Hideaway. ( Seen here;
http://www.catsandrabbitsandmore.com/hopperhideaway )  I got all this
stuff so Zolo would have something to do...... Other than play under the
lazy boy where he was injured!  ROTFL.  Wizard managed to lose Zolo
through the maze.  I figured that was enough so I call to Zolo.  They
stopped and lay down.  They are so fast, and so cool, I was amazed!

I realized that the circling with no biting has been taught to them by
The Jump.  That's how he displays his dominance.  Even when Merlin bit
Jump, Jump's response was restrained.  He did send Merlin literally
through the air with a head butt, but never drew blood.  They remained
bonded buddies.  Jump has never bitten or pulled hair from either Wizard
or Zolo.  The Jump is their sensei, and they always show respect.
What do you think?!!