Colorado “Horned” Rabbits Are More Science Than Scary
DENVER — Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, recently spotted a group of rabbits with unusual, hornlike growths on their faces — a sight that might seem ripped from a low-budget horror movie. But scientists say there’s nothing to fear.
The cottontails are infected with Shope papillomavirus, a relatively common virus that causes wart-like growths. While the protrusions can look dramatic, the virus is mostly harmless, affecting only rabbits and not humans or pets.
Viral photos of the rabbits have inspired nicknames like “Frankenstein bunnies,” “demon rabbits,” and “zombie rabbits.” In reality, the virus has a long history: discovered in the 1930s by Dr. Richard E. Shope of The Rockefeller University, it helped scientists understand the link between viruses and cancer — a connection that later informed human HPV research. Some experts also speculate that Shope papillomavirus may have inspired the centuries-old North American legend of the jackalope, a mythical rabbit with antlers.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife noted that it’s not unusual to see infected rabbits, particularly during the summer when fleas and ticks that spread the virus are most active. The growths usually disappear once a rabbit’s immune system fights off the infection. They only pose a problem if they interfere with eating or vision.
So while these “horned” bunnies may look eerie, biologists assure locals that the curious creatures are simply carrying a mild virus — and will likely return to normal in due time.