A rapidly spreading virus is causing cottontail rabbits to grow black, tentacle-like growths out of their heads, prompting warnings to steer clear of the mutated animals.

DENVER (AP) — A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, hornlike growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there’s no reason to be spooked — the furry creatures merely have a relatively common virus.

SEATTLE — The "Frankenstein bunnies" have been making waves across social media in the U.S. Recently, one rabbit potentially carrying the virus was spotted in a Seattle neighborhood.

Wildlife officials in Colorado have confirmed a troubling rise in cases of shope papillomavirus, a rare disease causing wild rabbits to grow tentacle-like growths from their heads and mouths. While the condition is not new to science,

Rabbits with black, tentacle-like growths sprouting from their faces have been spotted in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said a viral infection called the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus caused the black growths on the rabbits.

As per experts the condition is caused by Shope papilloma virus, a disease that creates wart-like tumors on rabbits, often around the head, ears, and eyelids.

Experts believed the "Frankenstein" cottontails covered in wart-like, horn-like growths are where the legend of the Jackalope comes from

The 'Frankenstein' rabbits could potentially die a slow painful death, as infected bunnies have been spotted lurking in the US.