Are Rabbits with Tentacles Real? Viral Photos Spark Internet Frenzy

Rabbits With Tentacles? Colorado Wildlife Officials Explain the Strange Viral Outbreak Fort Collins, Colorado — Residents have been sharing startling photos of wild cottontail rabbits sporting tentacle-like growths that look more at home in a sci-fi film than in suburban backyards. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the bizarre appendages are actually benign tumors caused by cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV), a naturally occurring virus that has flared up this summer. What the “Tentacles” Really Are The finger-shaped projections are hard, keratinized warts that grow around the rabbit’s head, eyes, and mouth. When they elongate, they can dangle or branch, inspiring the viral nickname “rabbits with tentacles.” Veterinarians say the growths rarely hurt humans or pets, but they can hamper a rabbit’s vision and ability to eat, which makes affected animals easy targets for predators. Why the Outbreak Is Happening Now • Warm, humid weather accelerates viral shedding and transmission. • Higher rabbit densities near irrigated lawns and gardens increase close contact. • Drought-stressed animals may have weaker immune responses, letting tumors grow larger before the body suppresses them. Is the Virus Dangerous to People or Pets? Experts emphasize that CRPV is species-specific; it does not infect dogs, cats, or humans. Still, CPW urges residents not to touch or attempt to “rescue” rabbits with tentacles. Handling wildlife without gloves can spread other pathogens such as tularemia or parasites. If you must move a sick or injured rabbit off a roadway, wear gloves, use a shovel, and wash thoroughly afterward. What to Do If You See a Tentacled Rabbit 1. Observe from a distance and do not feed the animal. 2. Remove attractants like spilled birdseed that congregate wildlife. 3. Report clusters of sick rabbits to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for monitoring. 4. Keep pets leashed to avoid stressing already compromised rabbits. Can the Rabbits Recover? Many rabbits survive mild infections once their immune system suppresses new wart growth. Unfortunately, large tumors can obstruct eyes or mouths, leading to starvation. Wildlife rehabilitators do not typically treat CRPV because removing tumors often regrows them, and captivity stresses the animal further. How Homeowners Can Help • Limit backyard watering at dusk and dawn when rabbits are most active. • Fence vegetable gardens with 1-inch wire mesh buried at least 6 inches deep. • Create “no-mow” buffer strips of native plants; predators such as foxes and raptors thrive there and naturally cull infected rabbits. The Bottom Line The unsettling sight of rabbits with tentacles is the visible tip of a long-known wildlife disease, not the arrival of a mutant species. By keeping a respectful distance and managing backyard habitats wisely, Coloradans can help slow the spread while letting nature run its course.