Why should caution be exercised when handling rabbits?

When handling rabbits, caution is particularly important because their strong legs can inflict serious injury. Rabbits possess powerful hind legs that they can use to kick forcefully when they feel threatened or scared. These kicks can lead to injuries, such as bruises or even fractures, to those who are handling them. Additionally, when rabbits are startled, their instinct is to jump away quickly, which increases the risk of both self-injury and injury to the person handling them. Therefore, understanding the physical capabilities of rabbits helps handlers approach them with appropriate care and techniques to ensure the safety of both the animal and the handler.

While other considerations, such as biting behaviors or sensitivity to noise, are relevant and contribute to the overall handling strategy, the primary concern regarding caution stems from the potential for serious injury related to their strong muscular build and natural defense mechanisms.