Tentacled, horned, and spiky rabbits spotted in Colorado

In the past couple of weeks, residents of Colorado have spotted several rabbits appearing with strange traits such as black spikes growing from their heads or tentacles coming from their mouths. However, the bunnies should not be feared, as the cause of the freakish mutations is simply the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus.

Cotton tail papillomavirus is a mostly benign infection that cannot spread to species other than the rabbits, according to Kara Van Hoose, a spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Van Hoose also spoke about how rabbits can typically overcome the disease on their own, and it would only be a problem if it hinders the rabbit’s ability to eat or see. The infection still produces “gross” wart-like growths or horns.

The papillomavirus is transmitted through biting insects such as fleas or mosquitoes, causing rabbits to contract the disease more often during the summer due to the surplus of insects.

The virus will not infect most pets, but pet rabbits should be kept away from any infected wild rabbits in the area. Cottontail papilloma virus is much more severe in domesticated rabbits, even being able to cause cancer, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health. Pet rabbits should be taken to the vet if they are infected, where the nodules caused by the disease may be removed to be analyzed via histopathology. This will determine if the papillomas are benign or malignant and if they have transformed into squamous cell carcinomas, a form of cancer.

An infected rabbit was first reported by a resident in Fort Collins, Colorado. Since then, many more calls have been received talking about sightings of these mutated bunnies, mainly from people in northern Colorado. According to Van Hoose, officials are currently unsure of how many rabbits have been infected, as people may be reporting the same rabbits repeatedly. Van Hoose also asked residents to avoid feeding or interacting with the infected rabbits and enjoy their strange appearance from afar instead.

These rabbits with interesting growths are a fascinating look at the complex biological world. “Nature is metal,” as Van Hoose said, “and this can be kind of cool looking on different rabbits”.