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 cottontails recently spotted in Fort Collins were infected with the mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which caused wart-like growths that protruded from their faces like metastasising horns.
Viral photos have inspired a fluffle of unflattering nicknames, including "Frankenstein bunnies", "demon rabbits" and "zombie rabbits". But their affliction was nothing new, with the virus inspiring ancient folklore and fueling 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 that caused cervical cancer.
The virus in rabbits was named after Dr Richard E Shope, a professor at The Rockefeller University who discovered the disease in cottontails in the 1930s.
News about the rabbit sightings in Fort Collins, 105km north of Denver, attracted attention after residents started spotting them around town and posting pictures.
Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told The Associated Press that the agency has been getting calls about the rabbits seen in Fort Collins.
But she said that it was not uncommon to see infected rabbits, especially in the summer, when the fleas and ticks that spread the virus were most active. The virus could spread from rabbit to rabbit but not to other species, such as humans or pets, she said.
The growths resembled warts but could look like horns if they grew longer, Van Hoose said. The growths didn’t harm rabbits unless they grew on their eyes or mouths and interfere with eating.
Rabbits’ immune systems were able to fight the virus and, once they did, the growths would disappear, she said.
SHARE ME