My mini rex has tiny bald spots on her nose. Is this because my rabbits are fighting?

[garwyli91]

I have two mini rex rabbits. Aesop, a one and a half year old neutered male, who I have owned for about 5 months, and Beatrix, a five month old spayed female, who I have owned for about a month and a half.

When I come home from work, the first thing I do is go over to my rabbit's cage to pet both buns and talk to them. I did so today, and while petting Beatrix I noticed she has about four very small pink spots above her nose where she is missing hair. No blood, she did not flinch when I touched it, and no other injuries on her ears, paws, or torso.

When I first stuck my hand into the cage today, Aesop grunted at me. He hasn't exhibited aggressive behavior like this in at least three and a half months, and I don't think ever grunted at a human or Beatrix while in the process of and after bonding. Maybe he was surprised, but he's very jumpy and I make a concerted effort to always make my hand visible to him before petting him. I pulled my hand back slowly in case he felt intimidated, and put my hand back in the cage. He walked towards it and put his head down to be "groomed" by me seconds later.

It has been very hot where I live recently. I'm wondering if maybe the heat is making Aesop irritable? He is going through a slight coat blow. (His second since we got him... I'm hoping it's the weather and not his diet which is causing him to shed so frequently.) I know this can sometimes make rabbits irritable, as well...

The crux of my inquiry is: do you think the bald spots on Beatrix's nose might have been caused by fighting? My rabbits have *knocks on wood* never fought. Aesop hasn't even tried to mount Beatrix in almost 3 weeks, so they obviously have established rules about who's boss. I also haven't noticed any unusual behavior between the two since I got home. They are laying on separate sides of the cage, which they always do.

Both rabbits are eating normally and using the bathroom regularly. (They have their water bottle changed twice daily and never run out, and also feed on a constant supply of hay, as well as 1/2 a cup of kale and two almonds and two dried cherries each night before "bed".)

I will, of course, keep an eye on them and how they interact with one another, but I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions or would care to relay their own personal experiences similar to my own.

Thank you very much for your help, everyone!! : )