Colorado residents have been spotting rabbits with horn-like growths, sparking online attention and nicknames like "Frankenstein bunnies." However, Colorado Parks and Wildlife assures the public that these growths are caused by the Shope papillomavirus, a relatively common and mostly harmless virus affecting cottontails. The virus, spread by fleas and ticks, is not contagious to humans or other animals. While the growths can appear alarming, they typically don't harm the rabbits unless they obstruct eating or vision. The rabbits' immune systems eventually clear the virus, causing the growths to disappear.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.