Bunnies are adorable pets that hop around with their eyes wide open. But have you ever wondered – do those eyes ever close fully? Can bunnies even close their eyes?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Yes, bunnies can and do close their eyes when they sleep or rest. Their eyes will fully close for periods of time.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore why bunnies close their eyes, how often and for how long, differences between wild and domestic breeds, health considerations, and much more.
An Overview of Bunny Eyes and Vision
Basic Eye Anatomy and Function
Rabbits, also known as bunnies, have eyes that share many similarities with human eyes in terms of anatomy and function. However, there are also some key differences that allow bunnies to see the world differently.
Like humans, bunnies have two eyes located on the front of their head. This gives them binocular vision with a wide field of view. Each eye contains a cornea, pupil, iris, lens, retina, and optic nerve.
The cornea and lens help to focus light, while the retina contains photoreceptors that convert light into signals to the brain. The iris controls how much light enters the eye by dilating and constricting the pupil.
One major difference is that bunnies have a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane. This translucent membrane can sweep across the eye to moisten and protect it. Humans lost this feature over evolutionary time.
Another key difference is the positioning of the eyes on the sides of the bunny’s head. This gives them a panoramic 340-360 degree field of vision to detect predators. However, it also means they have small binocular overlap of about 30-50 degrees directly in front of their face.
As prey animals, monitoring all directions takes priority over depth perception.
Bunnies are dichromats, meaning they have two types of cone photoreceptors to see color rather than three like humans. They can see blue and green shades well, but have limited ability to distinguish red hues.
Bunnies also see well in dim light due to a reflective layer of tissue in the eye called the tapetum lucidum. This amplifies light in low light conditions. However, their visual acuity is lower than humans at around 20/200 vision.
Field of Vision Differences Between Species
Different bunny species have variations in their field of vision and eye positioning based on environmental factors and survival needs.
For example, wild cottontail rabbits have their eyes positioned higher on the sides of their head to give them an almost 360 degree panoramic field of view optimized for detecting aerial predators like hawks and eagles.
Their narrow 10-15 degree binocular overlap in front is a tradeoff for maximizing danger detection.
In comparison, domestic pet bunnies have eyes placed a bit more toward the front of their head. This gives them a 340 degree field of view and wider 30-50 degree binocular overlap focused in front of their face.
This aids depth perception for moving safely around human environments filled with furniture and obstacles.
Hares, which live in open environments like fields, have a field of vision of about 270 degrees optimized for detecting ground predators. Their eyes are placed lower on the sides of their head with a binocular field of 35-50 degrees in front.
Do Bunnies Close Their Eyes Fully?
Yes, During Sleep Cycles
Bunnies do fully close their eyes for periods of time when they are sleeping or resting (WabbitWiki). Their sleep cycles consist of both open and closed eye phases. During REM sleep, bunnies will fully close their eyes and their noses may twitch as they dream.
This phase is similar to deep sleep in humans. Bunnies need plenty of uninterrupted REM cycles to stay healthy, getting 12-14 hours of sleep per day on average.
When bunnies close their eyes while sleeping, it helps them feel more secure and avoid disturbances. By closing their eyes fully, they are less alert to predators or other animals that may startle them. Their hearing, however, remains quite acute even during sleep.
Infrequent Full Closures When Awake
While bunnies do fully close their eyes while snoozing and resting, they rarely close both eyes completely when they are awake and active. Bunnies have a wide field of vision, estimated around 340 degrees, which allows them to spot predators while continuing to munch on tasty greens or hay (WabbitWiki).
You may notice a bunny closing one eye at a time for a few moments while they are exploring or going about their day. This helps keep their vision sharp by protecting one eye if they were to bump into something. But full closure of both eyes simultaneously is quite rare.
How Often and For How Long Do Bunnies Close Their Eyes?
Depends on Breed and Lifestyle
How frequently and for what duration rabbits close their eyes depends greatly on the breed and lifestyle of the bunny. Smaller breeds like Netherland Dwarfs and Dutch rabbits that are often kept as house pets tend to sleep more soundly and for longer periods compared to larger, more active breeds.
An indoor bun that lives in a safe, comfortable environment will sleep over 12 hours a day, closing its eyes for naps as long as two hours during its most deep and restful sleep cycles according to rabbit care sites like WabbitWiki.
Outdoor breeds like the New Zealand or Silver Fox rabbit sleep less overall because they must remain vigilant to possible dangers in their environment. However, these rabbits will still close their eyes for shorter bouts of REM sleep lasting about 15 minutes several times during the day.
Their sleep is lighter and they awake more easily since they lack the security of being indoor pets. But even outdoor bunnies require at least 8 hours of sleep and eye closing for healthy functioning according to veterinary sources like VIN.
Longer During Deep Sleep
All breeds of rabbits experience distinct sleep cycles throughout the day consisting of both light and deep sleep. During periods of deep or REM sleep, a bunny will close its eyes for more extended times ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on breed.
You can easily recognize when your rabbit enters deep sleep when its eyes remain shut for longer stretches accompanied by subtle twitching in the whiskers, ears, legs, and paws as it dreams!
Rabbits need to reach this deep sleep state to get truly restorative rest. As prey animals, rabbits will not usually close their eyes for prolonged periods unless they feel completely secure in their environment.
Indoor rabbits that bond closely with their owners tend to more readily fall into lengthy deep sleep compared to outdoor or abandoned breeds. If your bunny is closing its eyes and dozing by your side rather than remaining alert, it feels safe and comfortable thanks to the care and affection you provide!
Health Considerations for Bunnies Closing Eyes
Potential Vision or Respiratory Issues
Bunnies closing or keeping their eyes shut could be a sign of vision problems or respiratory issues. Some common causes include:
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva membrane): This is often caused by bacterial or viral infections and leads to eye discharge and swelling.
- Corneal ulcers: Ulcers on the cornea can be quite painful and cause a bunny to keep their eyes closed.
- Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss.
- Foreign objects: Something like hay or dirt getting lodged in the eye can cause irritation.
- Respiratory infections: Upper respiratory infections in rabbits often cause ocular discharge that can glue the eyes shut.
Rabbits have delicate eyes that are prone to issues. Frequent eye closing, squinting, weeping, or pawing at the eyes are not normal and warrant a vet visit. Left untreated, eye conditions like conjunctivitis can worsen and even cause permanent blindness.
When to See a Vet
You should make an appointment with your rabbit-savvy vet if your bunny is keeping their eyes closed for extended periods or showing other symptoms like:
- Excessive tear production or discharge
- Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the eyes or eyelids
- White cloudiness in the eye
- Visible ulcer on the cornea
- Loss of appetite or lethargy along with eye issues
Your vet can properly examine your rabbit’s eyes, determine if there is an underlying issue, and prescribe medication if needed. They may recommend eye drops, ointments, or oral antibiotics. Prompt treatment can often resolve eye problems before they cause permanent damage.Don’t delay – make that vet appointment as soon as you notice your bunny having eye trouble.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes – bunnies can and do fully close their eyes for periods of rest and sleep. Domestic breeds will close eyes more often than wild lagomorphs. Understanding normal eye/sleep behavior is key to monitoring your bunny’s health over time.
