The appearance of rabbits with tentacles or strange black protrusions on the face caused alarm and curiosity in Fort Collins, Colorado (United States).
The images, which quickly went viral on social media, show the animals with unusual growths that were even compared to creatures from horror movies.
Uncertainty and questions about the origin, dangerousness, and possible risks for people quickly multiplied. What do specialists say? Is it dangerous for other animals or humans?
The virus behind the strange appearance
According to Pet MD and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the affected animals suffer from the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). It is a viral disease that causes the growth of tumors, mostly benign, mainly on the head.
The lumps can also appear on ears, eyelids, neck, shoulders, abdomen, thighs, and even on the legs. Initially, the lesions are red, raised, and rough, but over time they turn into black tumors called keratinized papillomas.
Rabbits with tentacles in the United States. (Photo: social media).
Although their appearance is striking, this condition is relatively common in rural areas of the United States.
Experts point out that, unless the protuberances interfere with feeding or vision, rabbits usually survive and the growths disappear over time.
Is it dangerous for rabbits?
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the warts caused by CRPV are usually harmless. In rare cases, they can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, a severe form of skin cancer.
The outbreaks are usually recorded in summer and autumn, coinciding with the increased activity of mosquitoes and ticks, the main transmitters of the virus. Therefore, it is recommended to keep domestic rabbits indoors during these seasons to reduce the risk.
CPW also clarified that it is not necessary to euthanize infected animals, unless the lesions prevent them from eating or drinking.
How is the disease transmitted, is there a risk for humans?
CRPV is not transmitted from rabbit to rabbit. Its transmission occurs when an infected mosquito or tick bites a healthy animal. This explains its higher incidence in periods of heat and high humidity, when the insect population grows considerably.
Preventive measures include pest control and protection of domestic rabbits from vector insects, which drastically reduces the possibility of infection.
Despite the unsettling images, humans cannot contract CRPV. However, authorities advise against handling wild rabbits with visible lesions, as they may carry other diseases or parasites transmissible to people.
Massive impact on social networks
Rabbits affected by the virus. (Photo: social media).
The growths were described by neighbors as “black spikes or sticks around the mouth,” which has fueled their nickname on social media: “Frankenstein rabbits”.
The mix of unusual appearance, lack of knowledge, and virality has turned these animals into an internet phenomenon and a reminder of the importance of keeping a distance from wildlife.
In Fort Collins, authorities continue to monitor the cases and ask the population to report any sightings of rabbits with lesions to assess their condition and protect other animals.
