“Horror rabbits”: in the United States, a virus grows “horns” to rabbits

“Frankenstein rabbits”, “Rabbids of horror” … However, seen in Fort Collins. Moreover, in the Colorado (United States) of atypical rabbits have been decked out of unusual nicknames on social networks, aroused fascination and concern, said AP. Therefore, These animals have the distinction of having black outgrowths resembling warts, similar to horns, at the level of their muzzle.

According to scientists. Nevertheless, this deformation would be due to a relatively common virus, having infected rabbits, the shopping papillomavirus, generally harmless, which causes this type of physical change. Therefore, Experts, however, ask the population not to approach contaminated rabbits to try to help them.

A virus not transmitted to other species – "horror rabbits": united states, virus

Kara Van Hoose. spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said this agency on Wednesday, August 13, the agency received calls concerning “horror rabbits”: united states, virus rabbits seen in Fort Collins.

However. she clarified that it was not uncommon to see infected rabbits, especially in summer, when fleas and ticks, vectors of the virus, are the most active. The virus can be transmitted from one rabbit to another. but not to other species, including humans and pets, she said.

Sulls look like warts, but may look like horns if they lie down, she said. They are not harmful to rabbits, unless they develop on the eyes or mouth and annoy them to eat. The rabbit immune system is capable of fighting the virus and, once it does, the growths disappear, she added.

A disease discovered in the 1930s

The photos of the animals have toured social networks. but their affection is not new: Shope’s papillomavirus inspired ancient folklore and fueled “horror rabbits”: united states, virus scientific research almost a hundred years ago already. These particular rabbits certainly influenced the myth of Jackalope. several centuries in North America, which told the story of a rabbit with woods or horns, a mixture of a rabbit and an antelope.

The study of this disease in rabbits also helped enrich scientific knowledge on the link between viruses. cancer, such as human papillomavirus, responsible for cervical cancer. This virus owes its name to Dr. Richard E. Shop, professor at Rockefeller University, who discovered the disease in white -tailed rabbits in the 1930s.