The unsightly bunnies are infected with cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, which can cause growths that resemble warts or tentacles.

Wildlife officials say a virus is causing rabbits in Colorado to sprout horn-like growths. What is rabbit papillomavirus and is it dangerous to pets?

Rabbits with horn-like growths have appeared around Colorado, alarming residents. The "tentacles" are due to a virus that is generally harmless.

Rabbits with ‘horns’ in Colorado are being called ‘Frankenstein bunnies.’ Here’s why The virus likely influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, but also contributed ...

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 merely ...

Rabbits With ‘Horns’ Seen in Colorado Are Going Viral. Here’s What’s Really Happening Though the strange growths on these animals may look intimidating, experts say there’s not much to ...

Viral infection causes wild rabbits to grow black horn-like protrusions from their heads, though most infected cottontails survive the papillomavirus condition.

Colorado rabbits seem to be growing horns and tentacles. What's behind ‘Frankenstein' bunnies? The growths are most likely caused by a summertime virus common in some U.S. states, but wildlife ...

In August 2025, experts warned that infected "Frankenstein rabbits" with tentacles or horns on their faces seen in Fort Collins, Colorado, have "invaded" the United States.

Rabbits with horn-like growths caused by Shope papilloma virus have been reported in Colorado. The virus is not contagious to humans or other animals, but direct contact with infected rabbits ...

Some cottontail rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, have been drawing attention because they have wart-like growths on their faces that look like horns.

A 'Frankenstein' rabbit with Shope papilloma virus seen in Seattle, while the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports no recent cases.