Residents of Fort Collins Report Strange Rabbits with Horns

Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, have recently reported sightings of rabbits exhibiting unusual features, including black horns and tentacle-like growths around their mouths. While these creatures might evoke images from a horror film, their peculiar appearance is attributed to the harmless Shope papilloma virus (SPV), according to local news coverage.

The phenomenon has drawn attention, with local journalist Amanda Gilbert documenting the sightings in an article for 9NEWS on October 20, 2023. Officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife explain that the virus causes wart-like projections to develop on the rabbits’ faces. These growths can resemble deer antlers, which some scientists believe contributed to the folklore surrounding horned rabbits, often referred to as jackalopes.

One resident, Susan Mansfield, described her encounter, noting, “It looks like it was black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth.” She remarked on the rabbit’s endurance, having spotted it over multiple years despite its unusual condition.

The Shope papilloma virus is a relative of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Similar to certain strains of HPV, SPV can lead to the formation of keratin-based growths in rabbits. The virus is primarily spread through biting insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, but can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Importantly, the growths themselves do not carry the virus, meaning the risk to human health remains negligible.

While rabbits can coexist with the infection and might eventually lose the growths, there are potential complications. In some cases, the growths can become large enough to hinder eating or, in rare instances, evolve into malignant tumors. According to experts, infections are predominantly seen in wild cottontail rabbits rather than domestic ones.

The striking resemblance of these growths to deer antlers has sparked discussions about the origins of North American folklore, particularly the legendary jackalope. The myth gained traction in the early 20th century when brothers Ralph and Doug Herrick began marketing taxidermized jackrabbits adorned with deer antlers, allegedly creating the first jackalope in 1934. This commercialization has helped maintain the creature’s presence in popular culture, evident in many gift shops and tourist attractions that still sell these fauxalopes today.

The discovery of the Shope papilloma virus in the 1930s played a significant role in advancing our understanding of how certain viruses can lead to cancer. Researchers continue to use it as a model to study HPV-related cancers, underscoring the virus’s importance in both veterinary and medical research.

Despite the benign nature of SPV for humans, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials advise the public to avoid contact with wild rabbits infected with the virus. Caution is warranted, as the health of these animals can be unpredictable, and conserving wildlife is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Scientists emphasize that while the real-life jackalope may be harmless to humans, the sightings in Fort Collins serve as a reminder of the complex interactions between wildlife and disease, as well as the enduring power of folklore in shaping our understanding of nature.