Shope papillomavirus, a common and naturally occurring virus in wild rabbits that causes wart-like growths which can resemble horns or even tentacles.Though the appearance of these animals is startling,

Wildlife officials in Colorado are monitoring an unusual increase in cases of Shope papillomavirus, a disease affecting wild and domestic rabbits, following a higher number of sightings this summer.

Unusual-looking rabbits have recently been spotted in Washington, sporting wart-like growths that can resemble horns.

HORRIFYING images of ‘zombie’ rabbits with tentacles sprouting out of their heads have been circulating online – so is your pet bunny safe? The traumatising snaps have led to

Across the border in Colorado, some cottontail rabbits are drawing nation-wide attention not for their cute button noses but for the tentacle like growths coming out of their heads.

W ildlife officials in Colorado are fielding calls about unusual sightings of cottontail rabbits with horn-like growths protruding from their faces. This condition, caused by a virus, is startling to see but not dangerous to people or pets.

As per experts the condition is caused by Shope papilloma virus, a disease that creates wart-like tumors on rabbits, often around the head, ears, and eyelids.

A rapidly spreading virus is causing cottontail rabbits to grow black, tentacle-like growths out of their heads, prompting warnings to steer clear of the mutated animals.