Virus-infected bunnies (‘Frankenstein rabbits’) showing up in St. Paul

Key Points:

• The "Frankenstein rabbits" seen in Minnesota and other states are wild cottontail rabbits infected with the Shope papilloma virus, which causes large, sometimes tusk-like facial growths that can be fatal if they interfere with eating.
• The virus, first documented in the 1930s, is transmitted by mosquito and tick bites and is somewhat common in the Twin Cities area, with estimates of 1 in 10 to 20 rabbits showing symptoms.
• Despite their alarming appearance, the growths are usually not painful and often regress naturally; however, there is no cure or effective antiviral treatment for the virus in wild rabbits.
• The condition likely inspired the jackalope myth, a legendary horned rabbit popularized by taxidermy hoaxes in the 1930s, and the recent increase in sightings may be linked to a booming cottontail population and favorable climate conditions.
• Wildlife experts and rehabilitation centers advise letting nature take its course for wild rabbits, while domestic rabbits with the virus require early veterinary care including possible surgical removal of growths.