Domestication requires animals that are social and easy to handle. New World rabbits are solitary and territorial animals that are difficult to keep in captivity. They are also very aggressive and will fight with each other and other animals. This makes them unsuitable for domestication.

In contrast, Old World rabbits are social animals that are easy to domesticate. They live in groups and are generally docile and easy to handle. This made them ideal for domestication, and they have been used as pets and food sources for centuries.

The social behavior of New World rabbits is therefore the main reason why they were not domesticated. Their solitary and aggressive nature makes them unsuitable for domestication, while the social nature of Old World rabbits makes them ideal for domestication.