‘Demon’ rabbits growing hornlike warts in Colorado are no danger, scientists say

Cottontails seen in Fort Collins have mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which cannot be spread to other species

A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, hornlike growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there is no reason to be spooked – the furry creatures merely have a relatively common virus.

The cottontails recently spotted in Fort Collins are infected with the mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which causes wart-like growths that protrude from their faces like metastasizing horns.