Jackalopes II: Revenge of the Franken-Bunnies
Last summer, we wrote about the legendary jackalope: the antlered rabbit that’s been haunting Wyoming folklore (and gas station gift shops) since we had Wyoming and gift shops. But what if we told you the jackalope . . . WAS REAL?
Well, you know, sort of. Our distant neighbors in Fort Collins, Colorado have been posting photos of rabbits with grotesque, hornlike growths sprouting from their heads and faces. But you go calling either animal control or a priest, here’s the truth: these rabbits mostly just need a good dermatologist. That’s because they’re infected with Shope papillomavirus, a fairly common (and mostly harmless) virus that results in those distinctive wart-like growths. So even if they look uncannily like they’re auditioning for a role in a horror remake of Watership Down, they’re fine. Nobody freak out. They're beautiful on the inside. And scientists are rushing to reassure us that the virus can't spread to other animals, especially humans.
However, some scientists believe this very virus is what inspired the jackalope myth in the first place. It’s not a huge leap of logic: imagine cowboys or trappers in Wyoming stumbling on rabbits with these horn-like tumors and spinning a good tale around the campfire. And with that, the jackalope became our claim to mythological fame, a reminder that the West has always been equal parts rugged wilderness and tall tales.
If you’re visiting Jackson and staying at Flat Creek Inn, keep an eye out. You’ll probably spot plenty of elk, moose, or bison before you ever see a jackalope—but hey, you never know. Around here, the line between folklore and reality gets a bit blurry. Whether it’s the Grand Tetons glowing at sunset or the rumor of an antlered lagomorph hopping just out of sight, Jackson has a way of making even skeptics believe in a little magic.
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Photo courtesy University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute via AP.
Ryan Kunz is a copywriter and freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics, including media, the outdoors, and whatever else strikes his fancy. He would probably still love his wife if she had those weird growths sprouting from her head.
