Colorado Residents Encounter Unusual Rabbits With Black Horns

Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, are reporting sightings of rabbits exhibiting unusual features, including black horns and tentacles. Although these peculiar animals may evoke horror film imagery, their appearance results from a harmless virus known as the Shope papilloma virus (SPV). Local journalist Amanda Gilbert documented these sightings in her recent article for 9NEWS.

According to officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the rabbits are suffering from a viral infection that causes wart-like growths on their faces. This condition has historical roots, potentially inspiring folk tales about horned rabbit cryptids. One resident, Susan Mansfield, shared her experience, stating, “It looks like it was black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth. I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn’t. He came back a second year, and it grew.”

The Shope papilloma virus is closely related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can lead to the formation of keratin-based growths. Transmission primarily occurs through bites from arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, or through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. The growths themselves do not carry the virus, making them harmless to humans.

While many rabbits can coexist with the infection, the symptoms can become severe. In some cases, growths can obstruct eating, and there is a potential for them to develop into malignant tumors. Notably, infections are seldom observed in domestic rabbits, with wild cottontails being the most affected.

Historical Context and Cultural Impact

Interestingly, the growths resembling deer antlers have contributed to the persistent myth of the jackalope, a creature often depicted in North American folklore. In 1977, brothers Ralph and Doug Herrick claimed to have commercialized the concept by selling taxidermized jackrabbits fitted with deer antlers, thus popularizing the jackalope narrative. Today, many gift shops and tourist attractions continue to sell these novelty items.

The discovery of SPV in the 1930s not only fueled the jackalope legend but also played a significant role in cancer research by establishing a correlation between certain viruses and malignant growths. Scientists have since used SPV as a model to study HPV-related cancers.

Despite the harmlessness of SPV to humans, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials advise the public to avoid contact with wild rabbits infected with the virus. Caution remains paramount, as the health implications for wildlife and the potential for infection underscore the importance of awareness in such cases.

As sightings of these unusual rabbits continue, residents are encouraged to observe from a distance and appreciate the unique, albeit eerie, aspects of nature without putting themselves at risk.