Overview

• Residents and local media in Fort Collins this week reported wild rabbits with distinctive black, horn- or tentacle-like growths on their heads and faces.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed these protrusions are keratinized papillomas caused by a rabbit-specific Shope-type papillomavirus.
• Experts say the virus spreads mainly through insect bites such as mosquitoes, ticks and fleas or direct contact, leading to higher detection rates in summer.
• Wildlife officials emphasize the infection poses no risk to humans or other species and strongly advise against touching or capturing affected wild rabbits.
• Domestic rabbits can develop more severe forms of the disease and should receive veterinary care if they show signs of infection.