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Rabbits with 'Horns' in Colorado Are Being Called 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Here's Why
The cottontail rabbit papilloma virus causes horn-like growths in 10% of wild rabbits, spreading via mosquito and tick bites, with no cure available, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.
- Cottontail rabbits with horn-like growths have appeared in Fort Collins, Colorado, causing concern about their health and unusual appearance.
- The growths result from the cottontail rabbit papilloma virus, spread primarily by insect bites like mosquitoes and ticks during summer months.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials state the virus creates black nodules or elongated horns mostly on the head, which may impair eating but usually do not seriously harm wild rabbits.
- Officials advise avoiding contact with infected rabbits, noting no risk to humans, but the virus can infect domestic rabbits outdoors and requires veterinary care there.
- Most wild rabbits survive the infection as growths recede in colder months, but severe cases can cause starvation if eating is hindered, highlighting monitoring importance.
66 Articles
66 Articles
The first case was reported in Colorado on Friday. There is no cure for the disease.
Sightings of rabbits with tentacle-like growths spark concern from locals: 'I thought he would die off during the winter'
Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, have been shocked to observe wild rabbits with strange, tentacle-like growths on their faces, NBC-affiliate KUSA Denver reported. "It looks like it was black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth," local resident Susan Mansfield told KUSA. "I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn't. He came back a second year, and it grew." What's happening? Officials with Col…
Associated Press News
Rabbits with 'horns' in Colorado are being called 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Here's why
Some cottontail rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, have been drawing attention because they have wart-like growths on their faces that look like horns.
"Frankenstein" Rabbits With Horn-Like Spikes Appear In US
A rabbit showing spike-like growths caused by cottontail papilloma virus. Credit: Andrew Iverson / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 A fast-spreading virus is causing severe deformities in cottontail rabbits, with sightings of a “Frankenstein” bunny bearing spikes reported in the US. Wildlife officials in Fort Collins, Colorado, have issued warnings after multiple cases were reported in the area. Infected animals develop black, horn-like growths protruding from t…
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