Why do domestic bunnies have floppy ears and wild bunnies have upright ears?

Question

Why do domestic bunnies have floppy ears and wild bunnies have upright ears?

Answer 1

Not all domestic rabbits have floppy ears - the majority of breeds have upright ears like their ancestor, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The lop-eared breeds were selectively bred to have floppy ears because humans considered it a 'cute' characteristic - the same way many domestic dog breeds have been bred to have floppy ears when their ancestor, the grey wolf, has pricked ears.

Answer 2

Wild ones still need sharp hearing to survive. Domesticated ones have a safe life and the ears have been bred that way.

Answer 3

Why don't you ask something of importance, like what we can do to stop global warming? Jeez! Start using your brain for more probing thoughts than bunny ears! Now I've seen everything! And, if you must know, I suppose it's some sort of survival mechanism that wild rabbits have. They have to hear oncoming predators in order to avoid such threats and survive. Domestic rabbits, after thousands of years of breeding in closed, protected environments, no longer have the same survival instincts and physical traits necessary for self-protection. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Use it for better purposes!

Answer 4

I think it's because of genetics. Or maybe one of the rabbits could have been a hare.