👀 “Photos of ‘Horned Zombie Rabbits’ in Denver Go Viral—Experts Say It’s Real, But What They’re NOT Telling You Is Even Scarier 😳🔍”

The photos started innocently enough: a jogger near Denver snapped what he thought was a sick rabbit.

But when he zoomed in, what he saw was something unnatural.

The rabbit’s face was covered in horn-like black masses, twisting out from its mouth, eyes, and even ears.

Within hours, more photos emerged—different parks, different towns, but all showing the same thing.

The panic set in fast.

Parents pulled their kids from local playgrounds.

Dog owners stopped walking their pets through open spaces.

Rumors flew: Was it radiation? Was it some sick genetic experiment? Could it spread to humans?

Then came the truth—but it only added to the fear.

According to wildlife biologists, the disturbing phenomenon is very real—and it’s caused by a rare but devastating viral infection known as Shope papilloma virus (SPV).

First identified in the 1930s, SPV causes rabbits to grow tumor-like growths—often black, horn-shaped, and twisted—on their heads and bodies.

The infection is fatal in many cases, either due to starvation, blindness, or secondary infection.

Yes, the “zombie rabbits” are real.

And yes, they are suffering.

But that hasn’t stopped the internet from spiraling into full conspiracy mode.

The images of these grotesquely deformed creatures have triggered a firestorm of theories, from alien parasites to bio-engineered plagues.

One Reddit thread titled “Horned Bunny Outbreak = Government Experiment?” has gained over 50,000 upvotes in 48 hours.

TikTok is flooded with videos analyzing every frame of the viral photos.

Some users swear the growths look too symmetrical to be real.

Others claim they saw the rabbits move “unnaturally,” adding fuel to AI-deepfake theories.

But experts are doubling down: this is not a hoax, and it’s not new.

“People think this is something out of Chernobyl,” said Dr.

Lila Sanchez, a wildlife virologist based in Colorado.

“But Shope papilloma virus has been around for nearly a century.

It’s just rare to see it in urban areas.

What we’re witnessing is likely a localized outbreak—made worse by warmer temperatures and dense populations.

Still, that explanation hasn’t calmed public panic—especially after reports surfaced of house pets becoming sick after sniffing or biting infected carcasses.

So far, there’s no evidence the virus can infect humans.

But that hasn’t stopped authorities from issuing stark warnings.

“If you see one of these rabbits,” the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department announced, “DO NOT APPROACH.

DO NOT TOUCH.

Take a photo and report the location.

These animals are highly vulnerable and should be left alone.

Some local shelters are even warning pet owners to keep rabbits indoors, and to avoid letting dogs or cats interact with wildlife.

But even with the science explained, the visual horror of the outbreak has seared itself into public consciousness.

Parents are describing their children’s nightmares after glimpsing the viral photos.

Hikers are carrying pepper spray—not for predators, but out of fear of encountering a dying, disfigured rabbit.

One viral TikTok shows a group of teens encountering a horned rabbit in the woods outside Boulder.

They scream, back away, and the camera pans just long enough to catch the creature’s slow, labored breathing before the clip cuts to black.

The caption?
“It blinked.

And it looked at us.

”

The haunting images have now sparked a new online nickname:
“The Devil Bunny Plague.

”

Of course, scientists are urging calm.

There’s no apocalypse, no demonic curse.

Just a tragic viral infection in a species already vulnerable to disease and environmental stress.

But the psychological damage is done.

Because no matter how many experts explain it away, the visual of these horned, diseased rabbits is something the human brain isn’t prepared for.

It’s nature turned against itself.

It’s innocence turned grotesque.

And for a public that has lived through real-life pandemics and a rising tide of conspiracy culture, this story was the perfect storm.

So what’s next?

Colorado wildlife officials are tracking the outbreak, warning other states to prepare for possible spread.

Vets and wildlife rescue teams are being trained on humane response measures.

And behind the scenes, researchers are looking into whether climate change and urban sprawl are making SPV outbreaks more common than ever before.

As for the public?

The images are everywhere.

And they’re not going away.

If you see a horned rabbit—don’t panic, but don’t approach.

Because while the virus may be old…
the fear it awakens feels brand new.

And in a world where science and viral horror collide, even a bunny can become the face of our next nightmare.