COLORADO'S TENTACLE RABBITS

 4,000 Feet Above and Below: The Real Story of Colorado’s “Tentacle Rabbits”

1. What On Earth Is Going On?

TENTACLE RABBITS

Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, were taken aback by photos circulating online: wild rabbits seemingly sporting tentacle- or horn-like growths emerging from their faces and heads. The reaction was immediate—rabbits dubbed "zombies," "Frankenstein bunnies," even "alien invaders."

Contrary to speculation, there’s no cosmic mutation or interdimensional creature here. These frightening protrusions are wart-like tumors caused by the Shope papillomavirus. First discovered in wild cottontail rabbits by virologist Dr. Richard E. Shope in the 1930s, this virus causes keratin-based growths—warty or horn-like—that can look bizarrely tentacular.

2. The Science Behind the Scare

The Shope papillomavirus—also known as cottontail rabbit papillomavirus—is commonly found in wild rabbits. It manifests as keratinous tumors (papillomas) around the head and face, sometimes resembling dark, spiky protrusions.

Transmission occurs mostly via biting arthropods—think ticks or fleas—not from bunny-to-human contact. These wart-like growths usually resolve on their own in the wild, unless they impair vital functions like eating or seeing.

This phenomenon has even been linked to the jackalope myth, possibly giving rise to folklore about rabbits with horns in North American legend.

3. Online Buzz and Public Reaction

On platforms like Reddit’s r/interestingasfuck, users tried to make sense of the viral phenomenon:

“It’s just a papilloma virus. It’s literally just warts, same as the HPV (genital warts) that humans get.”
"This isn't a murder mystery but a very well known and documented phenomenon."

Social posts ranged from shocked humor—“zombie rabbits!”—to outright fascination. Folks quoted Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean to describe the eerie visuals.

4. A Real-Life Horror, But Safety First

Despite their dramatic appearance, experts emphasize these rabbits pose no danger to humans or other animals. That said, if the growths interfere with eyesight or eating—or become cancerous (more common in domestic bunnies)—intervention may be needed.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife advise no direct contact with affected rabbits, especially around pets. If a pet rabbit shows similar symptoms, veterinary care is recommended.

5. Through History’s Looking Glass: Virus, Folklore, and Science

THE JACKALOPE

• Almost a century ago, Dr. Shope's research on the virus connected it with early findings on virus-induced tumors, influencing our wider understanding of viral oncology.

• Folklore roots run deep, with the "jackalope" myth speculated to stem from these very viral growths in rabbits—bridging legend and biology in earthy American lore.

6. What Now?

If you spot a “tentacle rabbit”:

• Do observe—photos and awareness are fine.

• Do not touch or approach.

• Keep pets at a safe distance.

• If concerned, report sightings to wildlife authorities.

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Summary Table: What to Know

Phenomenon	Cause	Human/Pet Risk	What to Do
Tentacle-like growths	Shope papillomavirus	None	Observe, avoid contact, report if needed
Severe health effects	Impaired eating or vision, cancer risk in pets	Possible in domestic rabbits	Seek vets for domestic rabbits
Folklorical fun	Myths like the jackalope	Harmless and fascinating	Good conversation starter