As weird and concerning as they appear, the virus that causes the dark, wart-like horns or tentacles to grow on cottontail rabbits is relatively common and usually not anything to worry about.

Though the horned rabbits aren’t a danger to humans or pets, Van Hoose advises people to keep their distance from the creatures, as they should with any wild animal, because rabbits can pass along other pathogens. “Once you realize these [growths] probably aren’t harmful to rabbits, you can kind of appreciate the science at work,” she says.

Viral photos of wild rabbits with unusual black horns or tentacle-like growths sprouting from their faces have people asking what is going on with the furry animals. • Video Above: Threatened vs. endangered species Over the last few weeks,