Fauna Grey

Learning how bucks and does differ.

Introduction

This article is a guide that can be used to compare the differences between bucks and does. We will learn about the differences between male and female rabbit- 1.Societal Roles, 2.Compatibility, 3.Physical Characteristics, 4.Behavior, 5. Health and Nutrition.
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1. Societal Roles

First we will learn about how wild does and bucks function in their society. In order to understand domestic rabbit behavior, it is helpful to know what roles their ancestors played in the wild. According to the Textbook of Rabbit Medicine the pet rabbits that we know today came from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The social structure of rabbits vary between subspecies, so we will mainly refer to the European rabbit when discussing wild rabbit behavior.

Female rabbits primarily serve as homemakers within their society, typically remaining with their colony for life. They burrow into the ground to create safe, cozy homes for future offspring, although they may not display overt maternal affection. While wild females generally maintain peace within their colony, they become extremely territorial over their nesting sites, marking them with scent glands and urine to deter intruders or potential nest theifs.

Male rabbits prioritize protecting their territory and colony, with the strongest buck assuming the highest rank among males. They consistently mark their territory through various methods such as spraying urine, dispensing fecal matter, and rubbing their chin against objects to utilize scent glands. This territorial behavior often leads to hostility among bucks as they compete for dominance. As elderly or less fit males are gradually pushed away from the group to become solitary, others reaching maturity also face exile from the colony, prompting them to join another group or become solitary. This challenging life of wild rabbits is crucial to prevent inbreeding and preserve colony populations.

2. Bonds and Compatibility

Rabbits are social animals that desire companionship. Therefore providing contact with fellow rabbit companions would be ideal if done properly. In this section we will learn about the relationships between the two sexes and what their dynamics normally look like.
When attempting to bond a pair of rabbits, both of them must be spayed or neutered. Continuing into this section, when referring to bonding pairs we will be learning about spayed and neutered does and bucks. Also, it should be kept in mind that not all rabbits will bond with one another. When attempting to bond a pair it can take many tries before a successful pair is established.

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Does

Two spayed female bunnies are more likely to bond than two males. Although they are not as likely to become a bonded pair as male and female rabbits are. Does are both likely to be passive henceforth resulting in less fighting than two males. This does not mean that females will not fight, as they can be quite territorial.

Does and Bucks

According to many Veterinarians this is the ideal pair! A spayed doe and a neutered male are most likely to become a successfully boned pair. The delicate balance between dominant and passive tendencies can blend beautifully to create a solid relationship. Again, this is not to say that this combination will always work out but out of the three options it is most likely to.

Bucks

Oh the drama! Bucks are the least likely to have compatible bonds with each other. With their territorial and dominant tendencies working against them in this situation, don’t be discouraged if your two neutered males do not bond. As it is the most unlikely pair to bond out of the three options. Two neutered bucks can certainly bond and have a great relationship, it is just not as likely to happen.

Disclaimer: This article does not teach you how to bond rabbits! Please do plenty of research before you attempt to bond pairs.

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3. Physical Characteristics

Beyond reproductive organs, there are few differences in physical characteristics when it comes to rabbits. However there are some slightly differing features that have been brought to my attention. Let’s discover the intricate variances between does and bucks.

Does: Female rabbits of certain breeds will present dewlaps (a fatty tuft around the collar area like the one in the picture above). Dewlaps come in handy to quickly and efficiently make warm, soft, bedding for nests. When preparing for the arrival of their kits, does will pull their fur from their dewlaps and scatter it in and around their nest.

Bucks: Bucks tend to be bigger and their heads are more broad than does. In addition to being larger, the intact male will also have thicker skin. Considering dewlaps, certain breeds of bucks can potentially develop them. However when a male rabbit develops a dewlap it usually means that they are either obese or that they have been neutered.

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4. Behavioral Differences in Bucks and Does

Bucks: By reading the first and second sections in this article, you will have learned about the roles that the male plays in an established colony as well as their tendencies to be territorial and dominant. These behavioral characteristics will undoubtedly present themselves in pet rabbits too. By neutering your pet bunny these tendencies will fade however they could still be present even after castration. In pets this might be presented by grunting, growling, thumping, marking, or potentially chasing you or other pets off of his perceived territory.
Many times I have heard the debate about how “male rabbits are more friendly” and vice versa. In my experience I have found that it ultimately depends on the individual personality of the rabbit. Each personality is unique so please do not be deterred by either sex due to hearing that one of them is friendlier.

Does: As with the Bucks section, you may remember a few behavioral differences from section one and two. Within those sections we established that does are generally passive and are peaceful within their colony unless their nesting place is threatened. These behaviors may present themselves in a pet doe by becoming territorial over her hutch or bedding area, being shy or untrusting with new people, being stubborn during training, or remaining less playful than their male bunny companion.
Although behavior is ultimately left up to personality, these are simply generalizations that vets, breeders, enthusiasts, and owners have compiled over the duration of many years. So, in order to avoid getting into a hot debate over this subject, let’s remember that everyone has a different experience in rabbit husbandry. Every creature is different.

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5. Health and Nutrition

Generally there are not many differences in health care and nutritional needs of male and female rabbits. After weeks of researching credible sources, I have gathered the most significant differences in buck and doe health and nutrition.

As you could guess the most drastic differences in nutrition depend on pregnancy for does. This is why pregnant or lactating females should be given alfalfa hay due to it being densely packed with nutrients. Pregnant or lactating females should be offered plenty of hay and a well balanced diet. They also require more calcium than a full grown rabbit who is not pregnant or lactating. Below is a nutrition table for pregnant and lactating rabbits.
Fat: 2 to 3%
Protein: 15% only 11% is digestible
Carbohydrates: 45 to 50%
Fiber: 14 to 16%

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science published a study performed by The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science that took place in central Thailand from 2018 to 2023. Wherein 93 tumor samples were taken from different rabbits and tested. In this study it was concluded that the organ systems most likely to develop cancer were reproductive and integumentary (skin). It was concluded in the study that male rabbits had a 17.02 times higher probability of having cutaneous tumors than their
female counterparts. Furthermore, it is highly encouraged that owners spay and neuter their rabbits to potentially decrease the chances of developing cancer or other reproductive health concerns.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading!

We hope that you learned a great deal with us! Rabbits are so important to pet and wildlife enthusiasts alike. They play a vital role in human companionship as well as the ecosystem. Whether you are deciding on getting a male or female rabbit or just want to learn about the bunny you already have, we hope that this article was helpful and informative.

Sources and Cites

Varga M. (2014). Rabbit Basic Science. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, 3–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-4979-8.00001-7

San Diego House Rabbit Society (n.a.) Rabbit.org Foundation Finding Your Rabbit A Companion https://rabbit.org/behavior/finding-your-rabbit-a-companion/

Pornsukarom, Suchawan & Sudjaidee, Pansawut & RATIPUNYAPORNKUM, Nattaya & TUNGJITPEANPONG, Thaveesuph & CHETTANAWANIT, Apaporn & AMORNTEPARAK, Chana & SANANMUANG, Thanida. (2023). Analysis of occurrence and risk factors associated with pet rabbits’ tumors in Central Thailand. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science. 85. 10.1292/jvms.23-0149. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-overall-case-numbers-of-pet-rabbits-diagnosed-with-tumors-and-tumor-like-lesions-are_tbl1_375401947

The Differences Between Bucks and Does: Interesting Rabbit Facts