The Rabbit

The history of domestic rabbits all go back to one species of rabbit. Rabbits are all descendants of the European wild rabbit. They are classified as a Lagomorpha, and not in the Rodentia (or rodent) order. Their species is better known as Leporidae, first found in America and Asia. They moved south during the time of glaciers to southern Europe and North Africa. Rabbits have found their way across the world by natural methods and by sailing vessels.

In first century B.C. the Romans described Spain as the homeland of the rabbit. They encouraged walled gardens to keep out predators and keep rabbits safe. Rabbits were on gold and silver coins in Spain. Their meat was prized, however their ability to multiply left a bit of a problem with local vegetation. Soon ferrets were used to drive the rabbits out so they could be hunted.

The walled gardens of the earlier years would be popular for centuries. England had rabbit 'warrens' until the later part of the 1800s. A typical warren would be a large amount of land - many 100 acres or more. The warrens were surrounded by a natural moat, deep trench, fence or wall to keep the rabbits in. Warrens were developed to keep rabbits in, allow for hunting, and also to raise large numbers for the fur trade.

The actual domestication of rabbits can be credited to the monks of central Europe. Within monastery walls, rabbits became tame and selective breeding took place. This process was further credited to the 600 A.D. Papal Edict of Pope Gregory the Great that declared that the rabbit was no longer considered meat, but aquatic, and could be eaten during the 40 days of Lent. Records show rabbits being exchanged by monasteries in Germany and France in 1194.