Question: Can rabbits get rabies? A rabbit ran quickly toward us, then away. It wasn't a bit afraid of us. It was more like it was hysterical. What causes this?

Answer: Love. What you describe is typical spring breeding behavior, said Jennifer Menken with the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History.

Once the breeding hormones hit, rabbits chase, run in circles, fight and jump. Males in particular will often defend territory with behavior similar to what you describe. This flighty spring behavior in the European hare is what's behind the phrase "mad as a March hare."

As for the possibility of a rabbit having rabies, Menken said that all mammals can contract rabies, but it is almost nonexistent in rodent and rabbit populations. The most common carriers of rabies are raccoons, skunks and bats. It's best to never handle a wild animal, even if it seems calm. And if you are ever bitten or scratched by a wild animal, be sure to consult a doctor.