Why do some animals have long ears?

Some animals, like rabbits and elephants, have long ears as a way to regulate body temperature and enhance hearing. Long ears help increase surface area, allowing more heat to dissipate from the body, which is particularly useful in hot climates. For example, desert foxes and jackrabbits have large ears that help them stay cool. Long ears also improve the ability to hear distant sounds, helping animals detect predators or locate prey. In some species, long ears are used for communication, such as the expressive ears of elephants.