Scientists say there is no danger in growing keratin warts in Colorado. Colorado

A bunch of rabbits Colorado Due to the weirdness, the horn growth seems to be straight from the low-budget horror film, but scientists say there is no reason to be scared – the hairy creature has only one relatively common virus.

The recently discovered cotton bolls in Fort Collins have been infected with most of the harmless fur papillomavirus, which can cause wart-like growth to protrude from the face, such as transferring horns.

Viral photos inspired a clumsy nickname including “Frankenstein Rabbit”, “Devil Rabbit” and “Zombie Rabbit”. But their pain is nothing new, the virus inspired ancient folklore and promoted scientific research about 100 years ago.

The virus may have affected the hundreds of years-old Jack Lopp myth of North America, which tells the story of a rabbit with a deer or horns, and other animal changes. Diseases in rabbits also promote scientists’ understanding of the link between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer.

The virus in the rabbit is named after Richard E Shope, a professor at Rockefeller University, who discovered the disease of cotton tail in the 1930s.

News about the discovery of rabbits in Fort Collins, 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Denver, began to draw attention after residents began to discover and post pictures around town.

Kara Van Hoose, spokesperson Colorado Parks and Wildlife told the Associated Press Wednesday that the agency went straight to the rabbit’s phone call he saw.

But she said it was not uncommon to see infected rabbits, especially in the summer, where fleas and ticks that spread the virus were most active. She said the virus can range from rabbits to rabbits, but cannot spread to other species, including humans and pets.

Growth is similar to warts, but if they grow longer, they will look like horns. Growth will not harm the rabbit unless it grows in the eyes or mouth and interferes with the diet. Rabbits’ immune systems are able to fight the virus, and once they do so, the growth disappears.