How High Can Rabbits Jump?

A rabbit can jump as high as up to four feet but is more likely to jump around two to three feet. This can be affected by the size of the rabbit, if they have a running start, and even the breed of the rabbit.

Fun fact: The Guinness World Record for the highest jump by a rabbit is from June 1997 when a rabbit from Denmark jumped 99.5cm (3.13 feet). You can check out videos on YouTube to see the jump!

What Affects How High Rabbits Can Jump?

Not every rabbit will be able to jump to the same height. This can be affected by several factors to do with that individual rabbit, as well as the environment.

Rabbit’s jump height can be affected by:

• Breed: Some breeds of rabbits are known to be better jumpers than others. Hares, jacktails, and some cottontails are breeds that typically jump higher than others.
• Age: Baby rabbits might only just be able to jump two feet in height, while adult rabbits would easily jump at least two feet, and up to four. This is because their legs are bigger and stronger when they’re older.
• Size: A smaller rabbit’s legs won’t be powerful enough to propel themselves upwards, will bigger rabbits have extra weight holding them back. The ideal middle ground is a healthy rabbit.
• Fitness: A fit rabbit will be faster and stronger, therefore allowing them to jump higher. Overweight rabbits will struggle to jump so high.
• If they have a run-up: Having space to run into the jump will provide momentum to jump higher. Jumping from standstill will limit how high they can jump.
• If the ground is even: A flat, smooth surface is a more stable base to jump from than a rocky, uneven ground where they have to move slowly over it.
• Weather: If it’s especially hot, a rabbit might be lethargic or the ground too hot to run off. If it’s windy, snowing, or raining can also affect a rabbit’s movement.
• Health: If a rabbit has a health condition, they might struggle to eat and drink, and be weaker. As such, they probably wouldn’t be jumping high (if at all).

All of these factors can determine what height a rabbit can jump to, and some vary so your rabbit might be able to jump higher one day than they had previously if it’s the right combination of conditions.

Rabbit Agility

Most rabbits love to hop and jump, and you can incorporate this into exercise and training for your rabbit to do agility activities.

You can even train your rabbits in competition jumping, though every rabbit can do it for fun. If you’re planning to do it competitively, it would be worth checking out the official guidelines on heights that bars should be and all the necessary information. But if you’re looking for something more casual, you can do set up some DIY agility courses at home.

Doing activities like this will strengthen the bond you have with your rabbit, help them keep fit by exercising, train them to use harnesses, and mentally stimulate them.

Home agility courses could include:

• Tunnels
• Ramps
• Rails
• Barricades

You can use furniture, cardboard, or plastic to create agility courses. As long as there are no sharp edges and the material is rabbit-friendly if they take a bit then you’re good to go.

Use treats and positive reinforcement while you’re training your rabbit to jump. Remember to be patient with your rabbit while they’re learning and try not to push them too hard.

Binkies

A happy rabbit will jump and twist in mid-air to express just how happy they are for all to see. This is often accompanied by the ‘zoomies’ when the rabbit sprints around the room in bursts of excitement.

This can be when they get a new toy, if they smell a treat, or when you return home. If one rabbit is doing binkies and zooming, other rabbits around will often catch the excitement and join in.

Jumping to Escape

Most domesticated rabbits will jump many times throughout their day, this could be onto furniture, in or out their cage, through doors, up stairs, and more. Their jumping is usually to suit their curiosity, to ask for attention, or for fun.

However, wild rabbits will often have stronger legs and leaner bodies from having to constantly forage, dig warrens, and escape predators. As such, they are thought to be able to jump higher.

When a rabbit is being pursued, they’ll flash their tails at a predator and do sharp turns to escape. Sometimes making jumps over fences and trees is the difference between life and death. But you might still see a rabbit jumping and hopping around when there’s no danger around.

Comparisons to Other Animal’s Jump Heights

Knowing that a rabbit jumps between two and four feet might not make a lot of sense without context, so check out how a rabbit’s jump height compares to some other animals.

From highest to lowest, animal jump heights:

Animal	Jump Height (Feet)
Dolphin	22.9
Cougar	19.6
Kangaroo	10
Horse	8.1
Dog	5.6
Rabbit	3.1
Pig	2.3
Insect	2.3

Fun fact: The Guinness World Record for the highest high jump (male) was in July 1993 when a man called Javier Sotomayer jumped 8 feet and 0.45 inches.

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