Zombie Bunnies with Horns Freak Out Locals in Colorado

Wild rabbits with horn-like growths protruding from their heads have been spotted in Colorado. Shocked locals are calling them “zombie bunnies” and “Frankenstein rabbits,” but the weird condition poses no threat to humans or other animals.

The deformed bunnies are infected with the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, also called Shope papillomavirus after cancer researcher Richard Shope, who discovered the virus in 1933. 

“It's been around forever, it's a virus, it's nothing new and it's being sensationalized because people are seeing what it can do to wild rabbits,” veterinarian Laurie Hess tells Cowboy State Daily. “These rabbits look freakish but usually these [growths] are benign things, sometimes they will kind of fall off and go away.”

The virus spreads through insect bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, but the wart-like growths generally don’t harm rabbits unless they grow on their eyes or mouths. Rabbits’ immune systems can usually fight off the virus and eventually the growths disappear.

In a small number of cases, the virus can trigger squamous cell cancer and spread through the body. Pet rabbits – presumably with weaker immune systems than their wild cousins – can develop aggressive cancers if they catch the virus. Pet owners are advised to keep their bunnies indoors, especially in summer months when the virus can really go … viral.

“If you are going to take your rabbit outdoors, make sure they are getting appropriate flea/tick prevention and optimally vaccinated,” Pieper Veterinary posted on Facebook. “Avoid feeding grass from your backyard and buy grass hay from reputable sources.”

Photo credit: NDT News via Facebook