Colorado rabbits spotted with scary ‘horns and tentacles' on their head; experts warn locals of growth virus
Wildlife experts revealed that the unsettling condition is caused by Shope papilloma virus, a disease that creates wart-like tumors on rabbits, often around the head, ears, and eyelids. While the growths may look disturbing, officials stressed they do not pose a threat to humans, pets, or other wildlife.
The virus only spreads between rabbits, typically through bites from insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. According to the University of Missouri, the condition is a DNA virus 'seen most frequently in cottontail rabbits of the Midwest with outbreaks in domestic rabbits'.
Local Sightings and reactions
Fort Collins residents have reported multiple sightings, including one rabbit that returned to a homeowner's yard for two consecutive years with increasingly severe growths.
Some residents initially feared the animals had plague or another dangerous illness.
Descriptions of the appearance range from 'black quills' to a 'scabby growth' covering parts of the face.
'I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn't,' a local, Susan Mansfield, told NBC local affiliate KUSA.'He came back a second year, and it grew.'
What is Shope Papilloma Virus?
The virus causes benign wart-like tumors, but in some cases, these can become malignant (cancerous). While generally not harmful to the rabbit's overall health, tumors can create problems if they obstruct the mouth, nose, or eyes.
The disease is relatively common in wild rabbit populations, particularly during warmer months when insect activity is high.
There is no known cure for the virus; surgical removal of tumors is sometimes performed for domestic rabbits.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is advising residents to keep their distance. The rabbits are not dangerous.
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First Post
15 minutes ago
- First Post
Are ‘zombie rabbits' with black horns invading the US?
Wild rabbits in South Dakota and Colorado have developed horn-like growths and mouth tentacles. These bunnies, now being called 'Frankenstein's rabbits' online, are infected with a virus called Shope papillomavirus (SPV), a relative of human papillomavirus (HPV). Are they a threat to humans and other animals? Fortunately, the rabbits in America's Midwest haven't turned into zombies. The strange-looking growths spotted on them are caused by Shope papillomavirus, also called cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). Image courtesy: X Wild rabbits in the US states of South Dakota and Colorado have been turning heads, and not in a cute, cuddly way. Some have been spotted with strange horn or tentacle-like growths sprouting from their heads, leaving residents unsettled and social media buzzing. Photos of these so-called 'zombie bunnies' have gone viral on social media, with many expressing shock and making theories. 'It's like a Resident Evil version of a rabbit, but in real life,' one person remarked. Another wrote, 'This is how the zombie virus starts.' Over on YouTube, a shocked commenter posted, 'We've got freaking zombie rabbits now?!' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the sight might seem like a scene from a horror movie, experts say there's a real virus behind these eerie growths, and it's spreading fast among the local rabbit population. The unsettling question for many is whether this disease could affect humans or even pets. Here's what's actually going on. What is the SPV virus? Fortunately, the rabbits in America's Midwest haven't turned into zombies. The strange-looking growths spotted on them are caused by Shope papillomavirus, also called cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). Cottontail Rabbit. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons The virus was first identified in the 1930s by researcher Richard Shope, who noticed wild cottontail rabbits developing odd growths on their heads and faces. These protrusions, often described as 'horns' or 'tentacles,' are actually tumours. SPV is a DNA virus related to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause warts or, in some cases, certain cancers in humans. In recent weeks, people in Fort Collins have been calling wildlife officials after spotting rabbits with these unusual growths. But such cases aren't rare, says Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for the wildlife agency, telling Sky News that they've been around for a while. The SPV virus causes rapid skin cell growth, leading to the formation of wart-like tumours to form on an infected rabbit's head, face, and around its mouth. Image courtesy: Iowa Department of Natural Resources According to the University of Missouri, the disease is most common in the US Midwest and tends to be more visible during summer. This is when fleas and mosquitoes, the main carriers of the virus, are at their peak. Once inside, the virus causes rapid skin cell growth, leading to the formation of wart-like tumours to form on an infected rabbit's head, face, and around its mouth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Can the SPV virus infect humans and pets? Despite their unsettling appearance, experts say these infected rabbits don't pose a threat to people or their pets. Colorado Parks & Wildlife explains that the Shope virus is not contagious to humans, dogs, or cats. The virus is species-specific, meaning it only affects rabbits and cannot jump to humans, dogs, cats, or most other animals. That said, domestic rabbits tend to get hit harder than wild ones. In pet bunnies, the growths can sometimes turn into squamous cell carcinoma, a dangerous skin cancer. 🧟 A new nightmare unlocked! 🧟♂️ I just read about this freaky animal fact and thought I'd share, so I'm not the only one having nightmares about rabbit zombies! 🤭 🐇 Rabbits with what look like creepy tentacles sprouting from their heads and mouths. Disturbing, a little sad,… — Ash 🇦🇺 (@TheInspectorAsh) August 12, 2025 That said, wildlife and public health officials still advise against touching or handling visibly sick or infected wild animals. While the Shope virus itself isn't dangerous to people or pets, it's always safest to keep your distance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What about the infected bunnies? The Shope papillomavirus doesn't usually kill rabbits outright, but it can still put their lives at risk in other ways. Big growths near the eyes can block vision, making it harder to spot predators. Tumours around the mouth or nose can make eating and breathing difficult, leading to starvation or breathing problems. Infected rabbits also tend to slow down, making them easy targets for predators. Some rabbits manage to fight off the infection, with the growths shrinking or disappearing over time. Others aren't so lucky, suffering from worsening tumours that never heal. In domestic rabbits, vets can surgically remove the growths before they turn cancerous, but there's no known cure for the virus. With input from agencies
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Experts Warn Public To Avoid Rabbits With Dangerous Head Growths In Colorado
US experts have been alarmed by the sighting of the 'Frankenstein' bunnies with dangerous black head-spikes caused by a rapidly spreading virus. 'Frankenstein' rabbits with horrifying head spikes have been sighted in the United States of America. According to a report by the New York Post, these bunnies feature a terrible-looking set of spikes emerging out of their face. The report also claimed these black and dangerous spikes in cottontail rabbits are caused by a rapidly spreading virus. These Frankenbunnies with tentacle-like growths out of their heads were spotted by the locals in Fort Collins, Colo. One of the residents, Susan Mansfield, told 9News that she saw a rabbit with what appeared to her as 'black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth." Mansfield confirmed she had seen the rabbit the previous year, thinking it would've died by now. 'I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn't. He came back a second year, and it grew," the woman said. Another local described the infected cottontail rabbits as carrying 'a scabby-looking growth over their face." Experts Alarmed By 'Frankenstein' Rabbits With Dangerous Black Spikes The head spikes observed by these locals are indeed a sign of cottontail papilloma virus, which is also known as Shope papilloma virus that results in sprout tumours emerging around the head of the cottontail bunny. According to Pet MD, the virus spreads through parasites like ticks and fleas, passing on the ailment by biting the little bunnies. 'Typically rabbits become infected in the warmer months of summer when transmitted by being bitten by insects like fleas and ticks," said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose, as quoted by The Coloradoan. Colorado may be the recent site of these bunnies with horn-like growths, but the disease is understood to have originated in the Midwest. In 2013, a Minnesota resident raised alarm bells among locals by posting a video of a tendril-ridden rabbit in his backyard, later calling it the 'Frankenstein' bunny. Wildlife Experts Warn Against Interacting With Bunnies Carrying Spikes US experts have been alerted by the sighting of the 'Frankenstein' bunny and have warned locals not to approach or handle any of the afflicted critters. In their report, Colorado Parks and Wildlife have clarified, however, that the cottontail papilloma virus can spread only between rabbits and is not found to infect humans or pets, which would provide relief to the concerned public. But the little cottontail rabbits are not as lucky. While there may be instances of the virus leaving these bunnies in time, in some cases, the Medusa-like protrusions can swell and interfere with the infected carrot eater's ability to consume food, causing starvation and death. view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 12:03 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Rabbits with 'horns' growing from their heads invading the US, experts warn to stay away
Image credits: X Rabbits are loved by all for their small, furry and adorable beings. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association's 2022 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, 1.5 million households in the US owned rabbits. People are always advised to adopt more of the furry nibblers, however, currently it would be better to avoid a rabbit rather than to take one home. This is because a rapidly spreading virus in the states is causing cottontail rabbits to grow black, tentacle-like growths on their heads, prompting warnings to stay away from the mutated animals. The so-called Frankenstein bunnies have been spotted numerous times in Fort Collins, Colorado. Susan Mansfield, a local resident, told 9News that she saw a rabbit with what looked like "black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth." 'I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn't,' she said. 'He came back a second year, and it grew.' Why is this happening? Image credits: X The so-called bunny blight is actually a disease called cottontail papilloma virus (CRPV), also known as Shope papilloma virus, that causes cottontail rabbits to sprout tumours around their heads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Best Method for a Flat Stomach After 50 (It's Genius!) Lulutox Undo The virus is spread by parasite ticks and fleas which pass it on through their bites, as per Pet MD. 'Typically rabbits become infected in the warmer months of summer when transmitted by being bitten by insects like fleas and ticks,' said Kara Van Hoose, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson per the Coloradoan. While the disease has been a frequent sight in Colorado, it is most prominent in the Midwest. In 2013, a Minnesota resident caused much buzz after posting a video of a tendril-ridden rabbit in his backyard, which he called "Frankenstein" bunny and compared to the mythical Jackalope. What to do if you encounter a 'Frankenstein' bunny? Image credits: X Considering the prominent CRPV sightings, wildlife experts have warned people to stay away from the rabbits and avoid handling any of the affected critters. It is important to note that the virus is only transmissible between rabbits and is not known to infect humans. People with bunnies as pets must be protective of their health as the disease is more severe in them and can develop into squamous cell carcinoma- a serious and fatal skin cancer.
