Zombie Rabbits In Colorado: The Surprising Science & What You Need To Know

It doesn't matter if we call them 'zombie rabbits' or 'frankenbunnies,' nothing seems normal about the warts/tentacles growing on these furry critters spotted in Colorado's Larimer County.

Imagine being out for a stroll at the park or on a hiking trail and finding a rabbit that looks like a creature from a Resident Evil video game. Continue reading to see these rabbits for yourself and the explanation of what is happening here in Colorado.

What Are Those Horn-Like Growths? Biology 101

In recent weeks, residents on the Southeast side of the city of Fort Collins have been running into rabbits with bizarre, horn- or tentacle-like growths around their heads. Resident Susan Mansfield described seeing a rabbit with “black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has received a dozen reports about the animals, which they believe have contracted a virus called Shope papillomavirus (cottontail rabbit papillomavirus).

How the Virus Spreads & Its Impact on Rabbits

Read More: Is This the Perfect Zombie Apocalypse Home in Colorado?

The Shope papillomavirus that causes these growths in rabbits spreads as a result of biting insects, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, especially during Colorado's warm summer months. The condition impacts their immune system, causing growths that can ruin vision and disrupt eating. Domestic rabbits typically need help from a veterinarian if papillomas grow too large

Why It Matters: Science, Public Awareness & Viral Culture

Outbreaks of wildlife viruses, such as rabbit papillomavirus, not only grab the attention of residents and the media, but they also show how viral tumors in animals can become folklore (like the tall tales of jackalopes). These are believed to be non-transmissible diseases. The study of viruses like these allows biologists to make breakthroughs in human medicine, such as HPV vaccines.

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