Unusual Rabbits Spotted in Colorado

DENVER
AP
 — 

A group of rabbits in Colorado, sporting odd, horn-like growths, might look like something from a low-budget horror flick. However, scientists assure us that there’s no reason to panic—the furry creatures are just infected with a relatively common virus.

The cottontails recently observed in Fort Collins are affected by the mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which leads to wart-like growths that protrude from their faces resembling horns.

Some viral images have resulted in less-than-flattering nicknames for these rabbits, including “Frankenstein bunnies,” “demon rabbits,” and “zombie rabbits.” But, interestingly, their condition is far from new. This virus has inspired folklore for centuries and has been a subject of scientific research for nearly a century.

This particular virus likely influenced the ancient North American myth of the jackalope, which depicted a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other fantastical variations. Additionally, research on this disease has advanced our understanding of the relationship between viruses and various cancers, including human papillomavirus, which is linked to cervical cancer.

The rabbit virus was named after Dr. Richard E. Shope, a professor at The Rockefeller University who first identified it in cottontails back in the 1930s.

News of the rabbits in Fort Collins, situated about 65 miles north of Denver, gained traction after locals began spotting them and sharing photos online.

Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, mentioned to the Associated Press that they’ve received numerous inquiries about these rabbits seen in the area.

She noted that encountering infected rabbits isn’t unusual, particularly during summer when fleas and ticks—the primary carriers of the virus—are more active. Although the virus spreads between rabbits, it doesn’t infect other species, including humans and pets.

The growths resemble warts but can take on a horn-like appearance if they become elongated. Van Hoose explained that these growths aren’t harmful unless they impede the rabbits’ ability to eat or affect their eyes. Generally, the rabbits’ immune systems can handle the virus, and the growths will disappear once they do.