Domestication of rabbits?

[la dee da]

Ok, by lurking on BYC and BYH I've read that domestic rabbits all stem from the Eurpean wild rabbit. My question is...why? When I was a kid my family caught two baby rabbits from our garden and kept them for a while (I think like a week). They were very calm and they never bit, surely someone has to have thought about domesticating them? Are American rabbits less tolarant of caged life? Is there a big difference between the American and European wild rabbits? I heard they can't breed with each other, is this the main reason behind not domesticating American rabbits? Thanks in advance!

 

[RabbitMage]

Quote:
I know if you ask any wildlife rehabber, cottontails are unsuitable for domestic life. Some people manage okay, but in many cases even the best cared for wild caught babies simply die in captivity, often with no visible cause.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Cottontails are very unsuitable for domestic life.wild cottontail rabbits are usually very "nervous" and do not adapt very well to being kept as pets.
There are some cases where people have kept them as pets and they were fine,but its actually very rare.

Domestication of the Rabbit began by French Monks between the fifth and tenth centuries
Theres no real reason to even attempt domesticating cottontails, theres several rabbits already out there and it would take years and years and years for them to even be close to being domestic .
European wild rabbits cant breed with American rabbits.

 

[gypsy2621]

This is a very good read, it has tons of information.
The author has since passed away, very knowledgable Man.

http://www.amazon.com/Domestic-Rabbits-Their-Histories-Breeds/dp/1585972754

 

[la dee da]

Thanks everyone, you answered my questions very well

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote:
I've heard that the Romans were keeping them in captivity long before then!

I would also add that, while I don't know about the law in your neck of the woods, around here it is illegal to possess any kind of native wildlife without a special licence.