Bizarre viral rabbit disease spreading across Colorado neighborhoods has triggered urgent warnings from state wildlife officials as social media amplifies public panic over creatures resembling horror movie props.
Colorado Wildlife Officials Sound Alarm
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued urgent public advisories after Fort Collins residents documented wild cottontail rabbits with extensive black, keratinized growths protruding from their heads and faces. The dramatic horn-like protrusions, caused by Shope papillomavirus, create an alarming appearance that has prompted widespread social media sharing and public concern. Wildlife officials emphasize residents must avoid contact with affected animals and refrain from attempting rescue or euthanasia without agency direction.
🧟 A new nightmare unlocked! 🧟♂️
I just read about this freaky animal fact and thought I’d share, so I’m not the only one having nightmares about rabbit zombies! 🤭
🐇 Rabbits with what look like creepy tentacles sprouting from their heads and mouths. Disturbing, a little sad,… pic.twitter.com/1lbLTgdDL8
— Ash 🇦🇺 (@TheInspectorAsh) August 12, 2025
Viral Disease Creates Striking Visual Impact
The Shope papillomavirus transforms from simple wart-like lesions into keratinized papillomas that can progress to horn-like structures or, in severe cases, squamous cell carcinoma. University of Missouri research indicates the virus spreads primarily through mosquito and tick vectors, with rare direct-contact transmission between rabbits. Despite the shocking visual presentation that has earned these animals the “Frankenstein rabbit” moniker, wildlife experts note the growths typically don’t harm the rabbits unless they interfere with vision or feeding.
Public Safety Guidance Emphasizes Avoidance
Colorado wildlife authorities stress that affected rabbits should be left undisturbed, contradicting some public calls for euthanasia to “prevent spread.” The disease shows no evidence of cross-species transmission to humans through insect bites, though officials recommend pet rabbit owners implement mosquito control measures as a precaution. Fort Collins residents have observed the same infected rabbits returning to neighborhoods with progressively larger growths over multiple seasons, indicating the animals can survive with these dramatic deformities.
Rabbits with 'tentacles' or 'horns' growing from their heads spotted in Fort Collins
Some Fort Collins rabbits have been spotted with strange growths on their heads. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it is a virus.
Some rabbits spotted in Fort Collins are showing alarming… pic.twitter.com/emDwN8UmJH
— Deborah (@Deborah07849071) August 9, 2025
Social Media Amplifies Recurring Phenomenon
The current Colorado outbreak echoes a similar viral incident from Minnesota in 2013, when “Frankenstein rabbit” videos first captured national attention through social media platforms. Reddit posts from Fort Collins residents in 2024 reignited public fascination, leading to national media coverage in August 2025. This cycle demonstrates how social media transforms routine wildlife disease management into viral content, creating communication challenges for state agencies trying to balance public awareness with preventing unnecessary panic or misguided intervention attempts.
Sources:
CBS Minnesota report on 2013 Frankenstein rabbit viral video with papillomavirus explanation
KOMO News coverage of viral Frankenstein rabbit video with wildlife official commentary
KATU News report on Frankenstein rabbit phenomenon and papillomavirus attribution