A peculiar group of cottontail rabbits spotted in northern Colorado has been turning heads — and prompting eerie nicknames — due to hornlike growths protruding from their faces. But according to wildlife officials, the animals are not the stuff of horror movies, just hosts to a common virus.
As reported by the Associated Press, the rabbits are infected with Shope papillomavirus, a condition that causes wart-like growths which can resemble horns if they become large enough. The virus, spread mainly by fleas and ticks, cannot be transmitted to humans or pets.
Kara Van Hoose, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said it’s not unusual to see infected rabbits, particularly in the summer when parasites are most active. “The growths don’t harm rabbits unless they interfere with their eating or vision,” she explained, adding that most animals eventually recover once their immune systems fight off the virus.
The strange-looking condition has been known for nearly a century and is believed to have inspired the jackalope legend in North America. Beyond folklore, it has also played a role in scientific research, helping to establish links between viruses and certain cancers.
While photos of the so-called “Frankenstein bunnies” and “zombie rabbits” continue to make the rounds online, experts stress there’s no cause for alarm — just a fascinating intersection of wildlife, history, and science.
