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LOP RABBITS
The Evolution of Lop Rabbits: How They Got Their Floppy Ears🐇
A Look at the Lop-Eared Rabbit Breeds
Rabbits are my favorite animals. I raised and showed them as an adult and learned so much from these furry friends. I wanted to share how lop-eared rabbits came to be and more about them.
A gene mutation in the wild rabbit population came to be some of the most popular rabbit breeds worldwide, making their path quite fascinating.
The History and Origins of Lop Rabbits
Scientists and historians disagree on the origins of lop rabbits, although they have a long history. This gene mutation created their unusual ear shape, believed to have occurred spontaneously in wild rabbits. This was caused by an abnormality that impairs the normal ear cartilage growth found in most rabbits.
The first lop-eared rabbits were seen in ancient art. Egyptian, Roman, and Chinese civilizations painted and sculpted rabbits with long drooping ears. Depictions show that ancient tribes already had lop rabbits around.
Different Breeds of Lop Rabbits
There are 19 different lop breeds worldwide, but only 5 are currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders…
