A group of rabbits in Colorado have been spotted with peculiar horn-like growths on their bodies, resembling creatures straight out of a low-budget horror movie. However, scientists say there is no need to panic. These furry animals have simply been infected by a virus.
According to a report by the Associated Press on August 13th, residents in the town of Fort Collins, located 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Denver, began noticing these “horned” rabbits and sharing photos online. Subsequently, news of the rabbit sightings has caught the attention of major media outlets and the public.
The cottontail rabbits in question have been infected with a relatively harmless virus called Shope papillomavirus. This virus causes wart-like growths on their faces, resembling horns.
However, the photos of these horned rabbits have gone viral online, giving rise to a series of derogatory nicknames including “Frankenstein bunnies,” “demon bunnies,” and “zombie bunnies.” The rabbits suffering from this disease is not a new phenomenon, as this virus has been linked to ancient folklore dating back nearly 100 years, sparking scientific research.
The legend of horned rabbits has been passed down in North America for hundreds of years, telling tales of rabbits with deer-like or antler-like horns, as well as stories of other animal mutations. The disease that rabbits are infected with has also led scientists to recognize the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer.
The virus that infects rabbits is named after Dr. Richard E. Shope, a professor at Rockefeller University, who discovered this disease in cottontail rabbits in the 1930s.
Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that the agency has been receiving calls about the rabbits found in Fort Collins.
However, she mentioned that seeing infected rabbits is not uncommon, especially during the summer when fleas and ticks that spread the virus are most active. She stated that the virus can be transmitted among rabbits but will not spread to other species, including humans and pets.
Van Hoose explained that these growths appear like warts, but if they grow longer, they can resemble horns. These growths do not harm the rabbits unless they develop near their eyes or mouths, affecting their ability to eat. She added that rabbits’ immune systems can fight off the virus, and once their immune system recovers, the growths will disappear.
In a report by the New York Post on August 14th, it was mentioned that not only in Colorado but also in Minnesota and Nebraska, horned rabbits have been observed, causing concern among residents. Wildlife experts advise people to observe but refrain from touching them.