‘Zombie’ rabbits with multiple horns are appearing in the US – look, but don’t touch them

Colorado is facing a strange crisis as a group of rabbits roam gardens and neighborhoods with grotesque “horns” growing out of their faces. People are referring to them as “Frankenstein bunnies,” hinting at the popular novel by author Mary Shelley, where a mad scientist creates a monster. These atrocious-seeming rabbits may look threatening, but wildlife experts have said otherwise. However, it is recommended that pet owners keep their pet bunnies safe from wild rabbits with such unusual appearances, as reported by AP News. 

Cottontail rabbits with horn-like growths have been reported to be infected with Shope papillomavirus, a largely harmless pathogen that causes wart growths resembling metastasizing horns. The infected rabbits were spotted in Fort Collins, 65 miles north of Denver, by several residents who shared unsettling pictures of the animals online. Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has been attending calls from concerned residents about the "Frankenstein bunnies” in the region. But Hoose was barely agitated by the calls or even pictures, as it was common to see the infected rabbits during the summer. 

She explained that fleas and ticks are the predominant transmitters of the virus and are most active during the summer months, hence increasing the chances of the virus spreading among wild rabbits. It is worth noting that the growths are harmless and do not interfere with their activities unless they develop on the eyes or mouth, causing vision impairment or difficulty in eating. Eventually, the immune system fights off the virus, and the outgrowths disappear. Meanwhile, the internet has been spooked by the influx of infected rabbits, giving them nicknames like "demon rabbits," "zombie rabbits," in addition to the moniker of "Frankenstein." 

The virus was first discovered in rabbits by Dr. Richard E. Shope, a professor at The Rockefeller University, in the 1930s. It was then named after him. Before that, such occurrences had inspired ancient folklore and a centuries-old jackalope myth in North America that described rabbits with antlers or horns. Ancient hunters were accustomed to unsettling encounters with these rabbits.  Eventually, the odd appearance sparked scientific research that culminated in a connection between viruses and cancer. For instance, human papillomavirus is linked to cervical cancer. The YouTube channel, See U in History/Mythology, has explained the age-old myth about encounters with horned rabbits. 

According to ScienceDirect, infection in domestic rabbits is rare but likely caused by viral inoculation, the process of introducing the virus into another organism, by biting insects. The papillomas, or outgrowths, can be surgically removed, but prevention from the insect vector is the best option. It was revealed that the disease is mainly found in America’s Midwest but will only spread among conspecifics. Therefore, it is unlikely that pets like cats and dogs, or humans, may contract the virus from the infected rabbits, but pet bunnies should avoid contact or even close proximity to infected ones, per Sky News.