Mutant rabbits sporting 'horn-like' features found in Colorado, labeled as 'Frankenstein bunnies'; insight provided
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The Shope papillomavirus, a virus that causes horn-like growths on rabbits, has been a subject of scientific interest for nearly a century. First discovered by American physician Richard E. Shope in 1933, this virus primarily affects rabbits, causing benign tumors on their heads and mouths [1][2].
In recent times, residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, have been spotting infected rabbits with these unusual growths, sparking media and public interest. These growths can interfere with the rabbits' ability to eat and see, posing a threat to their survival [2].
The Shope papillomavirus is spread by mosquitoes and ticks and affects both wild cottontail rabbits and European rabbits [2]. The virus is mostly harmless to rabbits, with their immune systems able to fight it off. Once they do, the growths disappear [3].
The significance of the Shope papillomavirus goes beyond just wildlife disease. Shope’s discovery was one of the earliest linking of viruses and cancer, as papillomaviruses like CRPV can induce tumor formation [3]. This research paved the way for understanding human papillomaviruses (HPV), some of which are notorious for causing cancers in humans, especially cervical cancer. Thus, Shope papillomavirus is historically important in virology and oncology.
Regarding cultural impact, the virus likely inspired the North American jackalope myth, a legendary creature described as a rabbit with antlers. The horn-like tumors caused by Shope papillomavirus seen in rabbits in the American West, including Colorado, may have been the natural phenomenon behind sightings or stories of horned rabbits for centuries [5]. Modern sightings of rabbits with these viral tumors have sparked renewed comparison to the jackalope legend [3][5].
Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has stated that the virus is most active in the summer due to the presence of fleas and ticks. She also confirmed that the virus does not spread to other species, including humans and pets [4].
In summary, the Shope papillomavirus causes horn-like growths in rabbits, discovered in 1933 by Richard E. Shope [1][2]. It helped establish the viral-cancer link, influencing studies on human papillomaviruses (HPV) [3]. The virus’s visible effects on rabbits likely inspired the folklore of the jackalope, a mythical horned rabbit [5]. Recent cases in Colorado of infected rabbits with these growths have drawn media and public interest, reinforcing the connection between biology and mythology [1][4]. This virus remains an important example of how wildlife diseases can impact scientific knowledge and cultural stories alike.
