Colorado Rabbits: Virus Causes Strange Growths | Wildlife News

The Jackalope, a mythical animal from the American folklore, already presents itself a normal rabbit, but with the striking addition between his ears the antlers, antelope or even moose. As a Fabeldier that has something attractive, so he can be seen in many stories and films. According to researchers, the origin of the fantasy animal is in all likelihood in a frightening reality that is up to date again.

In the city of Fort Collins, in the US state of Colorado, many cotton tail rabbits are seen this year with black tentacle -like tumors, caused by a virus – nothing attractive.

That virus is not new. Since the sixteenth century, stories and illustrations of ‘horned’ rabbits have been shown and described in scientific reports. Around 1930, various hunters in the north of Iowa reported that they had shot rabbits with these kinds of bulges around their necks, ears, eyes and mouth. Virologist Richard Edward Shope decided to investigate the animals in response to these finds, after which the virus officially bears his name in 1933: the Shope Papillomavirus (SPV).

His research has great significance for knowledge about oncoviruses: viruses that can cause cancer. In 1984, the virus was further looked at on the basis of Shope’s investigation through DNA sequencing. This shows that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer in women, has great similarities with the rabbit papillomavirus.

Fleas, mosquitoes and ticks

The fact that many ‘Frankensteink rabbits’ – as they are called on social media – are being seen, is not crazy according to an expert from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The virus spreads through fleas, mosquitoes and ticks, and they are very active this season. Kara van Hoose, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife left The New York Times Knowing that local residents do not have to worry, but that they should not feed or touch the animals. And that they should pay attention to their pet rabbits.

Most rabbits overcome the virus itself, if their immune system works well. Just like the HPV virus, which in most cases can clear the human immune system within two years, this also applies to this virus in the rabbits. The growths can then disappear. The chance that a rabbit in the US state dies from a coyote, fox, owl or humans is huge much greater than it dies due to the virus infection. Every year in Colorado around 50,000 cotton tail rabbits are shot by hunters, according to the website of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Most rabbits are not older than a year.

Bunny costume

In addition to the cotton tail rabbits, the virus also affects other rabbit-like. The Californian rabbit, the black -tail tenderloin, the American hare and the European rabbit can also be affected.

Yet the condition is painful for the cotton tail rabbit. The monstrous appearance caused by the virus is miles from their usual appearance. In Greek mythology all rabbits are associated with Aphrodite, the love goddess. They symbolize happiness, love and abundance.

The cotton tail rabbit, with the white ball of lint on the buttocks, has even been the inspiration for the Bunny costume, known from Playboy. But without tentacles, horns or growths.

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