Latest news with #RichardE.Shope
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Man thinks rabbits with ‘horns and tentacles' on head are fake, then spots one in Colorado: ‘Frankenstein bunnies'
A man who thought pictures of rabbits with grotesque and hornlike growths flooding the internet were fake was shocked when he spotted one in Colorado. A video shows the man talking about the creature while recording it. Snippet from the 'Zombie bunny' video captured by the man (L) and a viral pic on the internet (R). (Screengrab (X)) 'This man was in pure disbelief when he spotted one of the infected papillomavirus rabbits with horns called 'Frankenstein Bunnies' that were originally reported in Colorado in Downtown Sioux Falls in South Dakota,' an X user wrote while sharing the video. In the video, the man is seen recording a rabbit sitting near a bush on the opposite side of a road. Slowly and carefully, the man approaches the animal to show tentacle-shaped growths protruding from their head and face. Throughout the video, the man keeps saying how the scene shocked him. (Viewer discretion advised: The video contains abusive language.) Over the last few weeks, sightings of rabbits with bizarre growths have been reported in Colorado, Minnesota, and Nebraska. These uncommon facial features of the furry creatures left many uncomfortable, promoting nicknames like 'Zombie Bunnies' or 'Frankenstein Bunnies'. Why are some rabbits growing strange 'horns and tentacles' on their face? According to wildlife experts, this unsettling condition occurs when a rabbit gets infected with the Shope papilloma virus, named after Dr. Richard E. Shope, a professor at Rockefeller University who discovered this disease in 1930. Are 'Zombie Rabbits' a threat to humans? According to a Forbes report, despite having alarming appearances, these animals pose no threat to humans. Though this virus cannot harm humans or their pet cats or dogs, wildlife and health officials advise people not to touch the infected rabbits. Also Read: Nightmarish video of tarantula infected by zombie fungus goes viral: 'Burn it with fire' A spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Kara Van Hoose, told the Associated Press (AP) that the growths initially resemble warts but turn to look more like horns when they grow. Usually, the growth doesn't harm the rabbits. However, growths on the eyes or mouth can disrupt clear vision and interfere with eating.
India Today
4 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Meet the 'Frankenstein Bunnies': Colorado rabbits with hornlike growths
Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, have been spotting an unusual sight this summer: cottontail rabbits with grotesque, hornlike growths sprouting from their faces. While viral photos have dubbed them 'Frankenstein bunnies,' 'demon rabbits,' and 'zombie rabbits,' scientists say there's no cause for rabbits are infected with the Shope papillomavirus, a relatively common virus that causes wart-like protrusions on cottontails. 'The growths resemble warts but can look like horns if they grow longer,' Kara Van Hoose, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told The Associated disease, discovered by Dr. Richard E. Shope in the 1930s, likely inspired the centuries-old North American jackalope myth — the legendary rabbit with antlers. The virus also contributed to early scientific understanding of the link between viruses and cancer, paving the way for research on human papillomavirus. The virus likely influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, which told of a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other animal variations. The disease in rabbits also contributed to scientists' knowledge about the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical Hoose reassured that the virus is mostly harmless: 'The growths don't harm rabbits unless they grow on their eyes or mouths and interfere with eating. Rabbits' immune systems are able to fight the virus and, once they do, the growths will disappear.'The virus spreads from rabbit to rabbit via fleas and ticks, especially during the summer, but cannot infect humans or pets. The recent sightings 65 miles north of Denver have drawn curious locals who have been sharing photos and speculating about the unusual wildlife.- EndsWith inputs from Associated Press
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Zombie Colorado rabbits with hornlike growths go viral; scientists share the unexpected truth behind the unusual condition
Rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, have recently been spotted with hornlike growths on their faces, sparking curiosity and concern among residents. Wildlife experts say the condition is caused by Shope papillomavirus, a relatively common disease in cottontail rabbits that does not pose a risk to humans or pets. Shope Papillomavirus and its effects The Shope papillomavirus, first identified in the 1930s by Dr. Richard E. Shope, causes wart-like growths that can resemble horns when they elongate. The virus spreads between rabbits through fleas and ticks, which are most active during the summer. While the growths are usually harmless, they can interfere with eating if they develop near the eyes or mouth. What are those called in The Last Of Us... CLICKERS?Rabbits spotted invading parts of the US with weird tentacles sprouting from their heads due to virus... Colorado officials are warning: "DO NOT TOUCH" Public sightings and reactions Local residents began posting photos of the unusual-looking rabbits, sometimes referring to them with nicknames like 'Frankenstein bunnies' or 'zombie rabbits.' Fort Collins resident Susan Mansfield said one rabbit she observed returned the following year with a larger growth. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose confirmed the agency has received calls about the sightings but stressed that such cases are not unusual. Transmission and treatment The virus affects wild and domestic rabbits but cannot be transmitted to humans, pets, or other animal species. Infected wild rabbits often recover naturally as their immune systems clear the virus, causing the growths to disappear. In domestic rabbits, however, the disease can be more severe and should be treated by a veterinarian. In Colorado, USA, many people have recently witnessed rabbits with strange black horns growing on their heads. They are jokingly calling them "zombie rabbits." Officials say the rabbits are infected with a common virus, but they also warn people not to touch the infected rabbits. Historical context and folklore links Scientists believe the virus may have inspired the North American jackalope myth, a centuries-old tale of horned rabbits. The Shope papillomavirus also played a role in early research linking viruses to cancer, contributing to the understanding of human papillomavirus and its connection to diseases like cervical cancer. Cottontail species in Colorado Colorado is home to three cottontail rabbit species: mountain, desert, and eastern cottontails. They can be hard to distinguish except by habitat and geographic location, but all are susceptible to Shope papillomavirus. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Colorado ‘zombie rabbit' sightings spook the internet
Denver: A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, horn-like growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there's no reason to be spooked – the furry creatures merely have a relatively common virus. The cottontail rabbits recently spotted in Fort Collins are infected with the mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which causes wart-like growths that protrude from their faces like metastasising horns. Viral photos have inspired a number of unflattering nicknames, including 'Frankenstein bunnies', 'demon rabbits' and 'zombie rabbits'. But their affliction is nothing new, with the virus inspiring ancient folklore and fuelling scientific research nearly 100 years ago. The virus likely influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, which told of a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other animal variations. The disease in rabbits also contributed to scientists' knowledge about the connection between viruses and cancer such as the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. Loading The virus in rabbits was named after Dr Richard E. Shope, a professor at the Rockefeller University who discovered the disease in rabbits in the 1930s. News about the rabbit sightings in Fort Collins, 105 kilometres north of Denver, started getting attention after residents began spotting them around town and posting pictures.
The Age
5 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Colorado ‘zombie rabbit' sightings spook the internet
Denver: A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, horn-like growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there's no reason to be spooked – the furry creatures merely have a relatively common virus. The cottontail rabbits recently spotted in Fort Collins are infected with the mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which causes wart-like growths that protrude from their faces like metastasising horns. Viral photos have inspired a number of unflattering nicknames, including 'Frankenstein bunnies', 'demon rabbits' and 'zombie rabbits'. But their affliction is nothing new, with the virus inspiring ancient folklore and fuelling scientific research nearly 100 years ago. The virus likely influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, which told of a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other animal variations. The disease in rabbits also contributed to scientists' knowledge about the connection between viruses and cancer such as the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. Loading The virus in rabbits was named after Dr Richard E. Shope, a professor at the Rockefeller University who discovered the disease in rabbits in the 1930s. News about the rabbit sightings in Fort Collins, 105 kilometres north of Denver, started getting attention after residents began spotting them around town and posting pictures.
