Unusual-looking rabbits have recently been spotted in Washington, sporting wart-like growths that can resemble horns.

HORRIFYING images of ‘zombie’ rabbits with tentacles sprouting out of their heads have been circulating online – so is your pet bunny safe? The traumatising snaps have led to

Wild rabbits in South Dakota and Colorado have developed horn-like growths and mouth tentacles. These bunnies, now being called ‘Frankenstein’s rabbits’ online, are infected with a virus called Shope papillomavirus (SPV),

The growths are caused by a rare virus named Shope papilloma virus. The virus leads to wart-like skin protrusions on rabbits' heads and faces. The virus spreads between rabbits through insect bites. Several reports have stated that it is not contagious to humans,

Wildlife officials in Colorado are monitoring an unusual increase in cases of Shope papillomavirus, a disease affecting wild and domestic rabbits, following a higher number of sightings this summer.

W ildlife officials in Colorado are fielding calls about unusual sightings of cottontail rabbits with horn-like growths protruding from their faces. This condition, caused by a virus, is startling to see but not dangerous to people or pets.

A rapidly spreading virus is causing cottontail rabbits to grow black, tentacle-like growths out of their heads, prompting warnings to steer clear of the mutated animals.