5 Shocking Facts About The 'Colorado Rabbits With Tentacles' Phenomenon

The sight of a wild cottontail rabbit in Colorado with bizarre, black, tentacle-like growths protruding from its head has sparked alarm and viral curiosity across the internet. As of December 18, 2025, reports from areas like Fort Collins confirm that these unsettling sightings are not a hoax or a creature from a horror movie, but a very real, albeit rare, manifestation of a naturally occurring wildlife disease. These "tentacles" are actually keratinous tumors caused by a virus that has been baffling scientists and inspiring folklore for nearly a century.

This phenomenon, often mislabeled as a strange new mutation, is a striking example of how a simple viral infection can transform a common animal into a seemingly mythical beast. The condition is a visual shock, leading many to question the safety of the local wildlife and prompting Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to issue official explanations to calm public fears. Understanding the science behind these growths is key to demystifying the so-called "zombie rabbits" of the Rockies.

The Scientific Explanation: Shope Papillomavirus (SPV)

The unsettling growths resembling horns or tentacles are the result of an infection by the Shope Papillomavirus (SPV), also known as the Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus (CRPV). This virus is a member of the Papillomaviridae family, which is famous for causing warts and tumors in a variety of species, including humans.

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A Deep Dive into the Shope Papillomavirus

The virus was first identified and studied in the 1930s by American virologist Richard E. Shope. He isolated the virus from a wild cottontail rabbit in Iowa, establishing it as a foundational model for cancer research, particularly concerning oncogenesis (the formation of tumors).

• The Growths: The "tentacles" are actually large, dark-colored, wart-like tumors called keratomas or papillomas. They are composed of an overgrowth of keratin, the same protein found in hair, skin, and fingernails.
• Appearance: When the tumors are small, they look like black horns, but as they grow, they can become large, branched, and irregular, giving the distinct, horrifying appearance of tentacles or cauliflower-like masses, often obscuring the rabbit's eyes and mouth.
• Transmission: SPV is typically spread through direct contact between rabbits or via arthropod vectors, such as ticks and fleas, which carry the viral particles from one host to another.

While the tumors themselves are benign, their location and size can severely impact the animal's quality of life. The growths can prevent the rabbit from seeing, eating, or drinking properly, leading to starvation and making them easier prey for predators. In severe cases, the papillomas can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, though this is rare.

The Jackalope Connection: Myth Meets Modern Science

The phenomenon of horned rabbits is not new; in fact, it is the likely origin of one of North America's most enduring mythical creatures: the Jackalope.

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The Jackalope—a legendary creature described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns—has been a staple of Western folklore for decades, particularly in Wyoming and the surrounding states. The sightings of rabbits with these distinct, horn-like growths, caused by the Shope papillomavirus, are now widely accepted by biologists and zoologists as the biological basis for the myth.

The recent viral photos from Colorado, showing the more extreme, tentacle-like growths, have essentially provided a modern, disturbing reinterpretation of the classic Jackalope legend. The images have been shared across platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and YouTube, creating a new wave of public fascination and fear. This demonstrates how natural biological phenomena can fuel cryptid stories and urban legends.

Key Entities and Terms Related to SPV and the Jackalope

The study of this virus involves numerous entities in virology, pathology, and wildlife management:

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• Virology: Richard E. Shope, Papillomaviridae, DNA virus, viral capsid, viral pathogenesis.
• Pathology: Keratoma, papilloma, carcinoma, tumor regression, immune response, host species.
• Wildlife Management: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), Fort Collins, wildlife surveillance, disease ecology, public health.
• Folklore/Mythology: Jackalope, cryptid, urban legend, taxidermy.

Public Safety and The Future of SPV in Colorado

The disturbing appearance of the infected rabbits naturally raises concerns among Colorado residents about public health and the safety of their pets. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has consistently sought to reassure the public that the virus poses minimal risk to humans and domestic animals.

Is the Virus a Threat to Humans or Pets?

The short answer is no. Shope Papillomavirus is highly species-specific. It primarily infects cottontail rabbits and, in rare instances, closely related species like the European hare. There is no evidence suggesting that SPV can be transmitted to humans, domestic dogs, or cats.

However, wildlife experts always advise the public to exercise caution. The general rule for all wildlife interaction is to observe from a distance. Never attempt to handle or feed a sick or injured rabbit. Direct contact with the tumors should be avoided entirely, as this is how the virus is spread among the rabbit population.

The recent cluster of sightings in the Fort Collins area serves as a reminder of the prevalence of wildlife diseases. Disease ecology is a constant factor in natural populations, and while the "tentacled" rabbits look alarming, this is a natural cycle. The majority of infected rabbits will survive as their immune systems fight off the virus, leading to the eventual regression of the tumors.

For the scientific community, the SPV remains a critical research model. The virus’s ability to induce tumors and its historical significance in understanding the link between viruses and cancer ensure that the "horned" and "tentacled" rabbits of Colorado will continue to be a subject of scientific investigation and public fascination for years to come.