It’s not just a bad hare day — it’s a bizarre bunny nightmare!

A terrifying new virus is transforming cottontail rabbits into grotesque creatures with black, tentacle-like spikes sprouting from their heads. Dubbed "Frankenbunnies," these eerie animals have recently been spotted in Fort Collins, Colorado, alarming residents and wildlife experts alike.

Resident Susan Mansfield described a horrifying encounter: "I saw a rabbit with what looked like black quills or toothpicks sticking out all around its mouth. I thought it would die off in winter, but it didn’t! It came back the next year, and the spikes grew even larger!" Another onlooker noted the poor creature had a scabby growth across its face.

This strange phenomenon is linked to the cottontail papilloma virus (CRPV), commonly known as Shope papilloma virus. This disease causes unsightly tumors to develop around the rabbits' heads, thanks to bites from parasites like ticks and fleas.

According to Kara Van Hoose from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, "Typically, rabbits become infected during the warm summer months when they're bitten by these insects." While the current wave of sightings is concerning, CRPV is more common in the Midwest, with notable cases emerging in other states.

In 2013, a Minnesota resident shared a viral video of a similarly afflicted rabbit, calling it the iconic "Frankenstein bunny" — reminiscent of the mythical Jackalope, a playful fabrication of taxidermy paired with antlers.

Wildlife experts are urging the public to steer clear of these afflicted animals. Thankfully, CRPV poses no danger to humans or pets, so there's no need for panic — yet the prognosis for the rabbits is grim.

While some rabbits recover, others may suffer as the frightening growths can ultimately impede their ability to eat, leading them to starve. The disease takes a harsher toll on domestic rabbits, raising concerns about the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, a serious and potentially fatal skin cancer.

For this reason, experts strongly advise that pet owners keep their rabbits far from the wild counterparts. If an infection is detected, veterinarians can surgically remove the troublesome growths before they become malignant.

Unfortunately, CRPV has no known cure, leaving the future of these freakish Frankenbunnies uncertain.