Are rabbits with horns a real thing?
Description
When folks began reporting wild rabbits with what appeared to be horns this summer, it wasn’t just another tall tale. This was the real deal.
The rabbits they were seeing were infected with the Shope papilloma virus. Classic signs of infection include wart- or horn-like growths, primarily involving the head but sometimes affecting other areas of the upper body or the feet.
Pet and other domestic rabbits can be affected too, but other animals and people are spared. Left untreated, infection can progress to malignant cancer in about 75 percent of affected pet and domestic rabbits.
Shope papilloma virus is spread through tick and mosquito bites, and it flares in the summer and fall. So, it’s important to supervise pet rabbits when they’re outside, especially during warm weather.
United States
