Viral deer-and-bunny video sparks debate over what the rabbit is really doing
A National Geographic clip of a deer and rabbit's affectionate moment draws millions of views — and dueling theories about the rabbit's motives.
What to know
- A National Geographic clip of a deer and a rabbit nuzzling went viral on Bluesky, gathering over 4,400 likes and 74 comments.
- The comment section split between people charmed by the apparent cross-species affection and others offering more biological explanations.
- Competing theories include the rabbit seeking nutrient-rich antler velvet or attempting to mate, versus a straightforward reading of the moment as tender bonding.
- Some viewers separately debated whether the footage was real, with several concluding the rabbit's behavior was too natural to be AI-generated.
The dispute Whether the interaction reflects genuine interspecies affection or is better explained by the rabbit's biological drives (mating or seeking antler velvet). · positions read across 43 posts and comments
The moment is genuinely sweet and heartwarming, better than fiction.
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“This made my day! Thank you so much for posting this.💖”
goodtrouble55.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The rabbit is actually trying to mate with the deer, not bonding affectionately.
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“It's adorable but, I think the rabbit was trying to mate with the deer.”
grisgris4me.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The rabbit is after the antler velvet for nutrients, not affection.
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“Actually I think he was trying to nibble on the antlers but when he gave them a sniff he realized they were still in velvet and if he took a bite it would be a bloody mess.”
sandydykes.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The footage looks authentically natural rather than AI-generated.
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“This is too natural to be AI. if you are familiar with rabbits, it's very easy to spot.”
annieraejepsen.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
National Geographic original source of the video clipinsideukraine.bsky.social Bluesky poster who shared the clip
How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Some viewers vouch for the footage as authentic, not AI-generated
Amid a broader wariness about AI-generated animal clips online, several commenters said the rabbit's natural mannerisms convinced them the video was real.
“This is too natural to be AI. if you are familiar with rabbits, it's very easy to spot.”
— annieraejepsen.bsky.social -
This is an ad for veganism 🍀🌱💚 #GoVegan
2 more of the top 3 · 17 posts in this stretch
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as a rabbit lady, I fear I must inform you that this rabbit is desperately trying to create a litter of bunnies here. My rabbit does this to my dog.
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This is too natural to be AI. if you are familiar with rabbits, it's very easy to spot.
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Commenters float a non-romantic explanation: antler velvet
Several viewers pushed back on the wholesome framing, suggesting the rabbit was actually trying to chew nutrient-rich velvet off the deer's antlers rather than expressing affection.
“The rabbit wants to chew the velvet off his antlers. Protein and minerals—not love.”
— continentaldivide.bsky.social -
You want jackalopes? Because this is how you get jackalopes.
2 more of the top 3 · 21 posts in this stretch
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Much better than Disney. I still have PTSD from watching Bambi.
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Nice to see a cute animal video that isn't AI slop
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Other commenters argue the rabbit is trying to mate with the deer
A separate group of viewers, several citing experience with pet rabbits, argued the animal's behavior was actually an attempt to mate rather than a sign of interspecies affection.
“as a rabbit lady, I fear I must inform you that this rabbit is desperately trying to create a litter of bunnies here. My rabbit does this to my dog.”
— annieraejepsen.bsky.social -
It's adorable but, I think the rabbit was trying to mate with the deer.
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National Geographic clip of deer and rabbit goes viral on Bluesky
insideukraine.bsky.social posted a National Geographic video of a deer and a rabbit sharing what the caption called a tender, Disney-like moment; the post drew over 4,400 likes and 74 comments.
“Bambi and Thumper in real life! A deer and a little bunny sharing a super tender moment that seems straight out of a Disney movie...”
— insideukraine.bsky.social -
I
Bambi and Thumper in real life! A deer and a little bunny sharing a super tender moment that seems straight out of a Disney movie... impossible not to melt with love! 🦌🐰✨ National Geographic
2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
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Alas, the human predators are nearby just like in Bambi.
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This made my day! Thank you so much for posting this.💖
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What people are saying 13 voices from 1 site · best of 43 · verbatim
- Sep 19
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Yep. I’m part of the Bambi generation too.
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We have always used them to benefit themselves. Always.
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We need to learn from our Animal cousins. We did for millennia, and then we decided to enslave them and use them to benefit ourselves. Time to get back to watching and listening and feeling with them.
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They are smart enough to realize that they are kin. Just as we are with them, and indeed, with all of life.
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If that's anything like the bunnies I've had, he's trying to figure out how to hump that deer.
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I was thinking that's what the rabbit wanted, the blood rich velvet.
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“We ride at Dawn to save the Down. Uh… once I get… … up on your… … damned back!”
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We really need to be more like animals than we would make better humans🫶🙏🫶
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Actually I think he was trying to nibble on the antlers but when he gave them a sniff he realized they were still in velvet and if he took a bite it would be a bloody mess.
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The exchange at the end, awww!! I think maybe bunny finally got tuckered out and just enjoyed a little connection.
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For a bunny, there must be a huge rush to discovering something warm soft furry that's not trying to kill you.
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Nah, just wanted to nibble the velvet off the antlers
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Wait until you see Timon and Pumba IRL. It really is a thing.