Wildlife officials in Colorado have confirmed a troubling rise in cases of shope papillomavirus, a rare disease causing wild rabbits to grow tentacle-like growths from their heads and mouths. While the condition is not new to science,

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.

Most rabbits have immunity against cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) which can cause tumorous growths that can be lethal at times if not attended by a veterinarian

Rabbits infected with a virus that causes horn and tentacle-looking growths on their faces are being reported in Colorado.

The grotesque “Frankenstein”-esque rabbits — once just a Colorado curiosity — are now turning up in Minnesota and Nebraska, their furry faces sprouting grotesque horn- and tentacle-like growths straight out of a B-movie.

Have you seen headlines about 'rabbits with tentacles' in Colorado? Here's what is actually going on, what Floridians should know

SEATTLE — The "Frankenstein bunnies" have been making waves across social media in the U.S. Recently, one rabbit potentially carrying the virus was spotted in a Seattle neighborhood.

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,