Are ‘zombie rabbits’ with black horns invading the US?

Wild rabbits in the US states of South Dakota and Colorado have been turning heads, and not in a cute, cuddly way. Some have been spotted with strange horn or tentacle-like growths sprouting from their heads, leaving residents unsettled and social media buzzing.

Photos of these so-called “zombie bunnies” have gone viral on social media, with many expressing shock and making theories.

“It’s like a Resident Evil version of a rabbit, but in real life,” one person remarked. Another wrote, “This is how the zombie virus starts.” Over on YouTube, a shocked commenter posted, “We’ve got freaking zombie rabbits now?!”

While the sight might seem like a scene from a horror movie, experts say there’s a real virus behind these eerie growths, and it’s spreading fast among the local rabbit population.

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The unsettling question for many is whether this disease could affect humans or even pets.

Here’s what’s actually going on.

What is the SPV virus?

Fortunately, the rabbits in America’s Midwest haven’t turned into zombies. The strange-looking growths spotted on them are caused by Shope papillomavirus, also called cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV).

The virus was first identified in the 1930s by researcher Richard Shope, who noticed wild cottontail rabbits developing odd growths on their heads and faces. These protrusions, often described as “horns” or “tentacles,” are actually tumours.

SPV is a DNA virus related to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause warts or, in some cases, certain cancers in humans.

In recent weeks, people in Fort Collins have been calling wildlife officials after spotting rabbits with these unusual growths. But such cases aren’t rare, says Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for the wildlife agency, telling Sky News that they’ve been around for a while.

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According to the University of Missouri, the disease is most common in the US Midwest and tends to be more visible during summer. This is when fleas and mosquitoes, the main carriers of the virus, are at their peak.

Once inside, the virus causes rapid skin cell growth, leading to the formation of wart-like tumours to form on an infected rabbit’s head, face, and around its mouth.

Can the SPV virus infect humans and pets?

Despite their unsettling appearance, experts say these infected rabbits don’t pose a threat to people or their pets. Colorado Parks & Wildlife explains that the Shope virus is not contagious to humans, dogs, or cats.

The virus is species-specific, meaning it only affects rabbits and cannot jump to humans, dogs, cats, or most other animals.

That said, domestic rabbits tend to get hit harder than wild ones. In pet bunnies, the growths can sometimes turn into squamous cell carcinoma, a dangerous skin cancer.

🧟 A new nightmare unlocked! 🧟‍♂️

I just read about this freaky animal fact and thought I’d share, so I’m not the only one having nightmares about rabbit zombies! 🤭

🐇 Rabbits with what look like creepy tentacles sprouting from their heads and mouths. Disturbing, a little sad,… pic.twitter.com/1lbLTgdDL8

— Ash 🇦🇺 (@TheInspectorAsh) August 12, 2025

That said, wildlife and public health officials still advise against touching or handling visibly sick or infected wild animals.  While the Shope virus itself isn’t dangerous to people or pets, it’s always safest to keep your distance.

What about the infected bunnies?

The Shope papillomavirus doesn’t usually kill rabbits outright, but it can still put their lives at risk in other ways.

Big growths near the eyes can block vision, making it harder to spot predators. Tumours around the mouth or nose can make eating and breathing difficult, leading to starvation or breathing problems. Infected rabbits also tend to slow down, making them easy targets for predators.

Some rabbits manage to fight off the infection, with the growths shrinking or disappearing over time. Others aren’t so lucky, suffering from worsening tumours that never heal.

In domestic rabbits, vets can surgically remove the growths before they turn cancerous, but there’s no known cure for the virus.

With input from agencies