Wildlife experts in Colorado have issued a warning following sightings of wild rabbits in Fort Collins exhibiting dark, tentacle-like growths on their faces.
The condition, caused by the cottontail papilloma virus (CRPV), is spread by mosquitoes and ticks rather than direct contact between rabbits.
The virus, which has inspired the jackalope myth, begins with small red bumps on the skin that develop into warty masses. In severe cases, black tendrils form around the mouth, cheeks, and eyes.
These growths can sometimes turn into life-threatening skin cancer, and in the wild, infected rabbits often starve as the tumours impair their ability to see, eat, or hear.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises avoiding all contact with infected rabbits. While CRPV is not considered contagious to humans or other species, domestic rabbit owners are urged to protect pets from insect bites. Veterinarians can surgically remove tumours in pets before malignancy occurs.
The discovery comes amid wider concerns about wildlife diseases and their potential ecological impact.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ