In recent times, unsettling sightings of rabbits affected by a rare and gruesome disease have spread across the United States, transforming these familiar creatures into something more suited for a horror tale than a children’s gift. These rabbits, once seen as gentle and fluffy companions, now sport bizarre growths—often described as “tentacles”—on their faces, shocking those who witness them.
This alarming condition is due to cottontail rabbit papilloma virus (CRPV), also known as Shope papilloma virus. It is a DNA virus commonly transmitted through bites from ticks and mosquitoes. The infection causes skin tumors that can grow extensively, sometimes turning cancerous with squamous cell carcinomas. As these growths, or “horns,” develop around the rabbit’s mouth and eyes, they can lead to blindness and prevent the rabbit from eating, causing a slow and painful death by starvation.
The disease spreads not only through biting insects but also by close contact between rabbits, such as sharing food, water, or bedding. Despite the disturbing appearance and severity of the symptoms, wildlife authorities like Colorado Parks and Wildlife emphasize that these tumors don’t harm rabbits unless they block essential functions like sight or feeding. Most infected rabbits survive the infection, with tumors disappearing over time. Euthanasia is only recommended if the tumors seriously impair eating or drinking.
Though CRPV is not contagious to humans, officials advise avoiding contact with infected rabbits for safety. The condition might also explain the American folklore of the “jackalope,” a mythical creature featuring a rabbit with antelope horns, likely inspired by rabbits with papillomas.
The discovery of these “horned” rabbits surprises many, revealing a striking example of how nature and illness can intersect in strange and haunting ways. Understanding this disease is important for wildlife management and helps highlight the challenges facing rabbit populations in the US today.
