Animals have fascinating facial features. Some look ferocious, while others look harmless and cute. As animals cannot speak words, they use their body language and eyes to show what is on their minds.
A hungry lion has bloody eyes, a needy dog has sympathetic eyes, a naughty cat has a glint in its eye, and a cute rabbit has deep eyes. All these animals see the world differently from us and each other. So, how do rabbits see the world?
Rabbits are remarkable creatures when it comes to seeing the world. As prey animals, they have unique eye placement, vision, anatomy, and blind spots. Rabbits see something best when not in front of them and can see all around them. However, they are not very good at deciphering colors.
You must have noticed that rabbits have big and wide eyes. Plus, they are not in front of their face like us. A rabbitâs eyes are placed a little higher and on the side of its face.
Every living thingâs body functions to fulfill the purpose of the survival of the fittest, which includes the eyes as well. Keep reading to learn more about your cute petâs beady eyes!
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How Wide Can A Rabbit See?
Bunnies have a vision of approximately 360 degrees. It has a lot to do with the position of a rabbitâs eyes. Rabbits must always be aware of their surroundings as prey animals. Their life depends on it to notice a predator from every direction.
Unlike us hunters, rabbits do not need a sharp focus right ahead of them to catch something. Rabbitâs only concern is to stay safe and alive. You must have noticed that your rabbit can always tell whenever you reach it from any direction.
It probably turns or gets startled before you have touched or interacted with it. It is due to the 360 degrees vision of your precious furry friend.
Do Rabbits Have Any Blind Spots?
There must have been times when you have placed a treat or your bunnyâs favorite toy right in front of it, but your precious pet ignores it. Your rabbit does not ignore your gesture of love because it is being snobby; it is because your bunny cannot see anything right in front of it.
Rabbits have two blind spots. One is straight ahead. Your cute petâs eyes are placed higher, and on the sides of its skull, so it cannot see in front of its nose and chin. The second is right behind your rabbit. Unless your rabbit turns on either side, it cannot see right behind itself.
How is A Rabbitâs Vision in The Dark?
Bunny rabbits can see much better than us in the dark. A rabbitâs eye has quite a different anatomy than ours. They have twice the amount of rods, the elements that detect light, than humans.
Rabbits are not nocturnal animals. However, their eyes help them see better in their crepuscular time of dusk and dawn. Plus, the color receptors of a rabbitâs eyes also help them see better during their waking hours.
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How Many Colors Can A Furry Bunny Rabbit See?
Rabbits have difficulty registering and differentiating all the colors similar to their other furry friends. Dogs and cats cannot see all the colors either.
As bunnies have more cones in their retinas, they are better at seeing in the dark. However, they have fewer cones. Your precious bunny cannot see the color red but can differentiate between green and blue.
It means rabbits have a limitation of two-colored vision. You can say that your poor furry baby is colorblind and cannot enjoy the richness of a red appleâs beautiful color.
Rabbits Having A Surprising Set of Three Eyelids
People often blink to keep their eyes clean and hydrated. As hunters, we can afford to do that.
However, prey animals cannot waste a second as they must watch out for predators. If an animal does not blink, its eyes get dirty, hindering its vision. For that purpose, rabbitâs have a third eyelid.
Bunnies have three eyelids that help them keep their eyes clean and hydrated without having to bink as much. The third eyelid of a rabbit is known as the nictating membrane.
The ability of a rabbit to sleep with its eyes open is possible because of this third eyelid that is invisible to other animalsâ naked eye. The third eyelid keeps your precious petâs eye clean and hydrated and helps your rabbit stay protected from predators.
Having the third eyelid does not mean that your rabbit does not blink at all. Rabbits do blink. They blink less than us. A rabbit blinks on average 10-12 times in an hour. It is a tiny number and makes it possible for you never to see your furry baby blink.
How Can You Know If Your Rabbit is Blind?
As voiceless creatures, our pets cannot tell us what is wrong with them or what they need with words. They show their demands and concerns through their behavior and bodily symptoms.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to get familiarized with your precious bunnyâs normal behavior to notice any changes.
If you have noticed your bunny not responding to visual aids or bumping into things more often, your bunny cannot see. Here are a few signs you can keep an eye out for before calling your vet:
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Cloudy Eyes
Cataracts are the most commonly found eye disorder in poor rabbits. Initially, cataracts only cause partial blindness. However, if not treated, your rabbit can lose its total eyesight.
Observing your precious petâs pupils can confirm if your rabbit has cataracts. If your bunnyâs pupils look cloudy, you should take it to the vet for a cataract examination.
The vets can remove cataracts via operation, but they do not recommend it due to the rabbitâs fragility. You can ease your rabbitâs life by rearranging its surroundings according to its new sight ability, as suggested by your vet.
Bumping Into Things
When any domesticated animal is zooming around the vicinity, it occasionally bumps into things as it goes too fast. Bunnies love to hop and run around the place all the time. It is usual for a rabbit to bump into things once in a while.
However, if your bunny bumps into things all the time, it may be a sign of vision impairment. Your rabbit could be blind in one eye, leading to faulty depth perception. As rabbits cannot see straight ahead, they need both eyes to function at their best to avoid bumping accidents.
Slow and Careful Movements
A rabbit going blind will become more cautious of its surroundings as it will lose confidence. Blindness will cause your bunny to feel less safe as it cannot tell what is ahead of it.
The survival instinct will kick in, and your rabbit will move slowly, constantly testing the waters. Furthermore, your bunny will carefully nudge everything it can feel. It will help your rabbit create a mind map to move around the household.
Startled Rabbit
Rabbits generally get startled if they are distracted. However, a blind bunny is likely to get surprised by everything as it cannot see. If your rabbit gets startled by your touch or a sound in the room, your bunny cannot see very well.
As it cannot determine the source of things via sight anymore, your bunny will be extra fidgety.
Moving at The Edges of The Room
Your rabbit will avoid hopping in the middle of the room as it is now an unknown territory. It will prefer moving near the walls to analyze the roomâs layout and follow its mind map by nudging into the surrounding elements.
Weird Eyes
Cataracts are not the only thing that can cause blindness in your rabbit. Your rabbitâs eyes will act out if your precious pet is going blind. You may notice your bunnyâs eyes swelling, red around the corners, and unfocused pupils.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, contact your vet immediately and book an appointment to avoid further damage to your precious furry friend.
Final Words
Rabbits are fragile living things. They can be prone to diseases and disorders if you do not care for them properly. Provide your bunny rabbit with adequate vitamin A to keep its eyes healthy.
Cataracts can form even if your bunny gets all the essential care and nutrients. Do not panic. Take your precious pet to the vet and get a consultation. Your vet will advise some changes in your rabbitâs atmosphere and diet.
Follow these to the core to make your bunnyâs life easier. It could not speak, and now it cannot see as well. Your rabbit will rely on you more than ever.
Give your bunny all the love, care, and attention in the world and ensure its safety. As a pet owner, you are responsible for your furry friendâs life and health.