Rabbits seem to have a natural curiosity. At least, that is my experience with Netherland Dwarf bunnies. Every single one I have owned has been curious, but some to a greater degree than others.

I currently have a Blue-Eyed White (my oldest at the moment) that is extremely curious. If anything is changed (added or removed) from his cage it seems to drive him crazy for a short time. He runs around excitedly, looks at and sniffs everything around. It almost seems like he worries when I remove something out for cleaning. If I reach in his hutch with anything in my hand he hurriedly runs up and checks it out.

From what I am reading here, it seems the more curious they are the easier it might be to get them to pick a card.

Regan

If played off right this can be a great effect. My Macaw has done this in my show for about 6 years. Audiences love it.

Matthew:

One of the reasons your Macaw and my Rabbit do this is their dependence on the mouth to examine things. Neither has the ability to do too much with their feet, as in turning things over and moving them.

In the case of the Rabbit, there is no “hand” rotation or grabbing potential. In the case of you Macaw, the feet are very preoccupied in balance. Both have a history of moving things around.

Bob

Bob,

My macaw picks it with her foot. She can pick it with her beak as well, but it took some training to get her to use her foot.

Matthew

Matthew:

Frequently, on this forum, people attribute basic instincts of animal behavior to human training of the animal. Like someone saying they have “trained” their cat to fall on all four feet when dropped, or that they have taught their rabbit to “play dead.”

You have apparently really done some creative training. You should be very proud of your work and the time that it took.

Bob

Thanks, it didn't hurt that Macaws are very smart. She does a ton of other things such as fly out over the audience and return, etc... Even though I coached her I know that I am taking advantage of her natural instinct. Even the card uses her natural instinct because she uses her feet to pick up food, etc..

Got a New Rabbit and he picks a card!

I went to a rabbit breeder and the second rabbit I looked at "Picked a Card" for me.

So I took him home.

This is so cool and I will do it in my all my shows from now on.

After I magically produce the rabbit I put him in a top hat. (He like it there)

Then I have someone pick a card & sign it. I control it to the botton of the deck and when I fan the cards I push the selected card toward his mouth and he takes it then drops it. Very Cool!!!

OK.....So that is what I do with my card picking rabbit.

Anyone want to share what they do with their card picking rabbit?

I'd LOVE some suggestions!

Thanks,

Neznarf

Man... I wish my rabbits were more sociable, they are netherland dwarfs and they are very afraid of big things, like people... I don't use them in my magic (mostly because my wife won't let me, heh). I wish I could, that would be great.

Netherland Dwarf rabbits are nervous by nature, and sometimes timid, but with gentle and frequent handling they should become plenty 'sociable'.

Regan

Does anyone know how to get a rabbit that doesn't naturally pick up cards to do it? My lop, which is a rescue is very tame and rather curious but she doesn't want to grab the cards and pull them out. Any help?

Edd

Try taping a pellet or favorite treat to a card. You have to take "baby steps" to train a rabbit. Natural behaviors are biting, pulling, scratching, jumping and standing. I suggest the "clicker" method to capture all these behaviors and make a bridge then cue.

Put some card in the cage for them to play with. You will find they will start chewing on them eventually and figure out a card is something to chew on.

Don't just leave cards in their cage, watch them with them. Place them in the food dish, or put treats on top of the cards.

Worked for my rabbit which would not pick the card...

Steven

Chris Caphart said when asked this question, "I bring a deck of cards with me, the rabbit that keeps grabbing one is the one I buy."

Steven and Lou,
Thanks for the tips, I'll try them.

Dennis,
Well, I've already got the rabbit (she's a rescue) and I'm not interested in getting another one. I saw Chris's lecture last week and he has some fun tricks using his rabbit that I'm going to start working on.

Thanks,
Edd