I have a question about a Sable Martin rabbit.

Question

I owned a Sable Martin rabbit when I was younger, and when I would feed him or otherwise put my hand in his hutch he would lunge at me and growl! Is this normal behavior for one of these, rabbits, or was mine just weird?

Answer 1

That's normal for all unaltered rabbits, and even some altered ones.  They are very territorial animals, and by reaching into the hutch, you were invading its territory.  They will lunge, growl, or even bite (and hard!).  Altering a rabbit often lessens this behavior, and lengthens their lives (especially females).  It's also important that you respect your rabbit's space.  They should feel like their hutch, pen, cage, whatever they have is their den.  I never reach into my rabbits' pens when they are in there.  I open the door, let them hope out, then reach in.  I've never been growled at, lunged at, or bitten since I realized what was going on and stopped invading their enclosures, though my female (who is spayed) will chase strangers around and bite their feet if she's loose (I call her my guard rabbit).  

Answer 2

Your not alone some rabbits dont like people because they were abused when they were young or they havent been around people.  My rabbit was just like that and we were going to have to get ride of her but then i started wearing long sleeves and using a towel to put around my are so i could pet her and feed her but if she tried to attak me i would just pop her on the butt and try to pet her again and that would repeat everyday until she stopped trying to attack me, so all it takes it persistance and a little punisment and it will all pay off.  So your rabbit was just one of many that did that its all normal.

Does that answer your question?