Overview
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife diagnosed the unusual black, horn- or tentacle-like facial growths on Fort Collins cottontail rabbits as Shope (cottontail) papillomavirus.
- The virus induces keratinized wart-like nodules that can elongate into spike-like protrusions but is harmless to humans and non-rabbit pets.
- Transmission occurs mainly through biting arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes and fleas, with direct rabbit-to-rabbit contact also possible.
- There is no cure for wild infections and euthanasia is only recommended if growths hinder feeding, though pet rabbits can have tumors surgically removed.
- Officials advise leaving infected wild rabbits undisturbed and safeguarding domestic bunnies by minimizing their contact with wild rabbits and insect vectors.