Normally when you think about scary rabbits, there’s only a few that come to mind. There’s”Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and the lovable Bunnicula from his titular book and animated series. Yet in the state of Colorado, people are reporting “Frankenstein” rabbits. But what are these little critters? How did they get that name, and when are people going to remember that Frankenstein was the name of the doctor, not the creature?
To answer the last question first, never. Most people will always think of that monster with bolts in his neck as Frankenstein. But it’s because of those neck bolts and odd appearance that these rabbits are being given the nickname. And as you can see above, some of these bunnies can have an alarming appearance. The rabbits aren’t some kind of genetic mutation, they’re dealing with the results of an infectious virus known as Shope papilloma. Rabbits tend to get infected by getting bit by a tick or flea, but it’s not capable of hopping between different animal species.
As a result of the infection, the rabbits start to grow wart-like carcinomas that take on the shape of horns or spikes. Incidentally, this is a possible source of the rumored Jackalope cryptid, a being that is supposedly part jack rabbit, part antelope. Or as it was once referred to in a “Frasier” episode, “Texas’s answer to the minotaur.” But it does make sense that an odd sight like this would lead to rumors of a bizarre, new animal.
The growths themselves are not dangerous to the rabbit, at least at first. It is possible that the growths can start to interfere with the ability to eat and move, in which case they would have to be surgically removed. Most wild rabbits also don’t have access to healthcare or a reliable surgeon, making the situation even more precarious for them.
So, if you’re around Colorado and see one of these bunnies, let them be. Yes, they’ve got a virus, but it is naturally occurring and they will likely be okay. It does underscore the importance of understanding how dangerous ticks can be though. If you think Shope papilloma is bad, there’s a whole host of diseases much worse than that which are carried by ticks. If Frankenstein really wanted to create a terrifying monster, he would’ve created a giant tick.
