'Frankenstein' Rabbits With Tentacle-Like Growths Are Appearing Across the US

Key Points:

• Shope papillomavirus (SPV), a rabbit-specific DNA virus known since the 1930s, causes dark, wart-like growths on cottontail rabbits' heads, ears, necks, and faces, sometimes forming clusters that resemble keratinized crowns.
• Most infected wild cottontail rabbits survive the infection and the growths eventually disappear, but severe cases can lead to squamous cell carcinoma or impairments that cause starvation or functional issues.
• SPV is not transmissible to humans, but domestic rabbits are at risk, often experiencing more severe symptoms and a higher chance of malignant transformation.
• The virus spreads primarily through insect vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas rather than direct contact, so pet owners in affected areas should keep rabbits indoors or in screened enclosures and control insect populations.
• If wart-like growths appear on a pet rabbit, owners should consult a veterinarian, as surgical removal is effective and some growths may regress naturally.