Can Rabbits Swim? Swimming Rabbits Caught On Camera

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Can Rabbits Swim
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It’s a summer day, the sun is at its peak and the wind is blowing making you sweaty and tired. Won’t you want to dive in your pool and spend the summer afternoon cooling and enjoying yourself? Well, that’s not exactly how rabbits feel. Not that we have had a way to speak to them and hear them say it. We have learnt it over the years by observing them that they prefer choosing to swim when they encounter danger. But, if you get a chance to see them too, you’ll know they are professional swimmers and can float on water like it’s no one’s business. But they will not do it for fun or enjoyment. They will not do it because they like swimming. It is the only survival instinct.

Do Rabbits Swim

Yes, they can swim. Not by choice but by instincts. Rabbits love grooming but not bathing in the pool. They’ll prefer sheltering under a tree shade but not cooling off in a water body. If they had to cross a pond only to save distance and time, they’ll take the long route over the water. They love hopping on land than floating on water. They swim only to survive, mostly when fleeing a predator.

Bunnies begin to learn to swim within their 1st week of birth and some breeds may take as long as 15 days. They use their front and back limbs in a form of the doggy paddle to swim effortlessly. One of the breeds, marsh rabbits that are found in the south-eastern parts of the US, are often seen swimming to survive a predator attack. Similarly, swamp rabbits have evolved and somehow adapted to living in wet environments too.

Some rabbits do enjoy swimming though but they are rare cases. Here’s such glimpse of those rare cases to treat your eyes:

Source Credit: Andrea Stetson

Do Rabbits Like to Swim

Many rabbits will be seen avoiding getting their coats wet. They prefer dry conditions. Because if their fur gets wet, they cannot retain body heat. But there are exceptions to this rule though. Some rabbits actually love to splash, wade and even swim in the water. But, yes, it’s very rare. If your rabbit doesn’t enjoy swimming and does it only for their safety, do not push them to swim in anything deeper than a foot of water. Swimming can be a good physical activity for your rabbit and can provide health benefits, only if they are not afraid of water. But never force them to do it.

There’s ample content online that will show that rabbits do enjoy swimming but you’ll find it difficult to find videos where rabbits are voluntarily entering the water. It’s been seen that one can train a rabbit though, just as animals in a circus are trained to do all those that they wouldn’t otherwise do, but that wouldn’t mean they enjoy it. They’ll be doing it to obey your orders.

We came across one such video where a rabbit is seen voluntarily entering the water. Isn’t this mind-boggling?

How Can You Tell If A Rabbit Enjoys Swimming

Figuring out whether your rabbit likes swimming is a matter to be threaded carefully. You cannot, under no circumstances, pick the ‘sink or swim’ approach with them. Pushing your bunny into the water will only cause panic and scare them enough to lose their instincts for swimming. This may lead to them drowning as well. The best approach, to begin with, is to observe their likability towards the water. Not how they like to drink it but how they react to it. Mind you, rabbits love water when it’s used for drinking.

If your rabbit reacts badly to being sprayed or bathed with water, they would not like the swimming experience either. This only concludes that your rabbit downright loathes the sensation of water. And when your bunny likes getting sprayed or bathed with water, they would likely enjoy swimming too. Even then, do not push them into the water, but politely put them on it and their reflexes will take over.

How Do Bunnies Swim And Dry Themselves Afterwards

Rabbits build the ability to swim by the age of 8 to 15 days. Although, they do not swim by choice but with need. They use both their hind limbs and forelimbs to swim, similar to humans using both their arms and legs. They prefer keeping their heads above the water surface and maneuver in the desired direction. Once outside the water, rabbits simply groom themselves for a while and then settle down to let their fur finish drying. You can towel dry your rabbit, gently rub their fur to remove excess water. But, be careful while towel drying them as their skin tears very easily. Use a hair dryer on warm setting, make sure it is not too hot and carefully dry your rabbit.

A quick look at what you should ask the pet expert:

Source Credit: Rumble Viral

Bottom Line

Most mammals are capable of swimming. But not all of them actually like to take a dip in the water unless they are forced to. Like cats, even rabbits hate water, but they too can and will swim for their safety if they have to. Whether it’s a predator attack or in times of flood, they will not hesitate to dive into the water and swim to safety. By choice, rabbits avoid swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it OK for rabbits to swim?

Yes, rabbits can swim, but they might not choose to. Rabbits do not like their fur coat getting wet. Rabbits swim to safety when they feel danger around.

2. Do rabbits like going in the water?

Yes and No! Some rabbits like splashing, wading and swimming in water. Most rabbits do not. If your rabbit likes it, encourage them to swim but do not force them.

3. How long can a rabbit swim for?

Usually, rabbits have the energy to swim for a couple of minutes. 5 to 10 minutes of swimming is ideal for your rabbit as this is a straining exercise and can deplete their energy reserves.

4. Are rabbits good swimmers? 

Yes, they are great swimmers as their size gives them increased buoyancy and musculature. They can easily move in flowing water, flood plains and swamps. 

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