thatcrazybunny
Well-Known Member
History of Rabbits and their Domestication
'Eocene Epoch',
55 million years ago;
About 100BC;
Between 6th and 10th centuries AD;
12th Century AD;
1249 AD;
1407 AD;
refs: http://www.drcba.ca/Information/RabbitWhoandWhy.aspx
'Eocene Epoch',
55 million years ago;
- Ancient relatives of the modern rabbit lived in Asia and North America.
- Dinosaurs were already extinct and age of mammals begun.
- First fossil evidence of rabbits as we know them appeared.
- Modern day (domestic) rabbit is descended from the wild rabbit; 'Oryctolagus cuniculus' makes its first appearance.
- Before Homo Sapiens evolved.
- Man's relationship with the European or 'true' rabbit recorded by seafaring Phoenicians when they landed in Iberia, and dispersed them to other areas.
- The Phoenicians termed the Iberian Peninsula 'i-shephan-im' (the land of the rabbit), which became the Latin word 'Hispania', then became 'Spain'.
About 100BC;
- rearing rabbits in captivity started in Rome
- Rabbits were kept and hunted in large gardens surrounded by stone walls called 'Leporaria'.
- This did not propose domestication because there was no specialized breeding program.
- Isolated monasteries began to keep rabbits for a ready source of food.
Between 6th and 10th centuries AD;
- The French monks were probably responsible for the actual domestication of the wild rabbit
- They kept the rabbits in separate cages to protect the breeding does.
- Selection process starts by choosing tamer and friendlier rabbits that were easier to handle.
12th Century AD;
- Normans brought them to Britain and established them as domestic and wild animals.
1249 AD;
- Records show transaction between two monasteries for the purchase of two breeding pairs of rabbits.
- Rabbits have found their way to most regions of the world by either natural means or by early sailing vessels who kept them for a ready source of meat.
1407 AD;
- Rabbits kept on islands for confinement using their fear of water, as a source of food during long sailing trips.
- Early development of new varieties showing deliberate breeding.
- first reference of a white rabbit
- Development of other colors such a black, and an increase in size.
- First appearance of 'silver-gray' and 'blue' rabbits and then the subsequent fur industry.
- Seven distinct colors as well as differences in coat length and texture ear length and body size had been genetically selected.
- Early fanciers then develop new breeds for meat, fur and pets.
- Study of genetics on its way.
- Very few domestic rabbits in North America.
- Other breeds of Domestic rabbits developed and imported into North America.
- Development of a national rabbit association devoted to all breeds.
refs: http://www.drcba.ca/Information/RabbitWhoandWhy.aspx