Shope papillomavirus, a common and naturally occurring virus in wild rabbits that causes wart-like growths which can resemble horns or even tentacles.Though the appearance of these animals is startling,

A group of rabbits in northern Colorado are sprouting growths, and it looks like something out of a horror film. The papillomavirus causes wart-like growths to protrude from the rabbits' faces, and infections often peak in the summer months during tick season.

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.

The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, which alarmed some Colorado residents, cannot spread to other species and often goes away on its own, according to experts.