Colorado, Rabbit and Shope papilloma virus
Digest more
A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, hornlike growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there's no reason to be spooked — the furry creatures
A group of rabbits in northern Colorado are sprouting growths, and it looks like something out of a horror film. The papillomavirus causes wart-like growths to protrude from the rabbits' faces, and infections often peak in the summer months during tick season.
The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, which alarmed some Colorado residents, cannot spread to other species and often goes away on its own, according to experts.
A rapidly spreading virus is causing cottontail rabbits to grow black, tentacle-like growths out of their heads, prompting warnings to steer clear of the mutated animals.