Every summer, social media fills with unsettling images of backyard wildlife that look more like extras from a low-budget horror movie than neighborhood critters. This year, it’s squirrels with grotesque sores and rabbits sprouting what appear to be black, tentacle-like horns from their heads. While the sight is shocking, scientists say these conditions are less terrifying than they appear—and in many ways, they’re teaching us important lessons about viruses, immunity, and even human health.

In northern Colorado, residents recently spotted wild rabbits with twisted, horn-like growths protruding from their faces. Reports came in from Fort Collins, where some of these animals looked like they had sprouted black tentacles instead of fur.

What Are Frankenstein Rabbits?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) quickly confirmed the culprit- Shope papillomavirus, a virus first identified in the 1930s. The infection causes keratin-based growths made of the same material as human nails and hair—that can grow into elongated, horn-like shapes.

For most rabbits, the infection is temporary. “They’re able to clear it from their system on their own,” says Kara Van Hoose, CPW spokesperson. Once the immune system suppresses the virus, the horns dry out and eventually fall off. But in some cases, the growths can interfere with eating, foraging, or even vision. Rarely, they can develop into squamous cell cancers.

Importantly, Shope papillomavirus only infects rabbits and hares—not humans or pets. The growths themselves aren’t contagious. Instead, the virus spreads via bites from mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, which is why sightings spike in summer and then fade with the first frosts.

Also Read: Unique Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In 2025 And How Long Infection Now Last

A Virus with A Surprising Legacy

The rabbit virus may look like a strange wildlife quirk, but its scientific significance is immense. Richard Shope, the virologist who identified it in 1933, later contributed to research on influenza A and traced links to the deadly 1918 flu pandemic.

Even more importantly, his studies of rabbit papillomavirus helped scientists understand human papillomavirus (HPV), a pathogen now known to cause several cancers. This research eventually led to the development of the HPV vaccine, one of the most effective tools in modern cancer prevention.

In other words, the bizarre-looking horned rabbits of Colorado are part of a story that connects animal health, human medicine, and the fight against one of the world’s leading cancer-causing viruses.

What Are Zombie Squirrels?

If the horned rabbits weren’t alarming enough, homeowners across the U.S. and Canada have reported squirrels with grotesque, oozing sores. Dubbed “zombie squirrels” on Reddit and local news outlets, these animals often appear bald, scabby, and covered in tumors.

At first, some feared this was squirrelpox, a rare and often deadly virus primarily found in red squirrels in the U.K. But experts now say that in North America, most cases are actually squirrel fibromatosis, caused by a virus called leporipoxvirus.

Like the rabbit papillomavirus, fibromatosis creates wart-like growths that may burst and ooze fluid. The disease looks disturbing, but it usually clears up on its own within four to eight weeks. Gray squirrels, which are common across the U.S., generally recover fully.

How the Virus Spreads Among Animals?

Unlike the horned rabbit virus, which is spread by biting insects, squirrel fibromatosis spreads through direct contact with infected saliva or lesions. That means the backyard bird feeder—a favorite stop for squirrels—can act as a transmission hub. Infected squirrels may leave saliva on seeds, which is then picked up by others.

“Shevenell Webb, a wildlife biologist in Maine, explains it like this: ‘It’s like when you get a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it spreads easily, others are going to catch it.’”

Although it’s upsetting to see squirrels in such poor condition, the disease does not spread to humans, dogs, or cats. Experts strongly advise against touching or attempting to “rescue” infected squirrels.

Should We Worry About Human Risk?

Here’s the key point: Neither rabbit papillomavirus nor squirrel fibromatosis poses a risk to people. These viruses are species-specific, meaning they evolved to target only their animal hosts.

That said, wildlife experts caution against close contact. Wild animals can carry other pathogens, and distressed animals can bite or scratch. The safest approach, they say, is observation from a distance.

At first glance, these conditions look like nothing more than cruel tricks of nature. But the history of virology shows that studying animal viruses has repeatedly advanced human medicine. The rabbit papillomavirus directly contributed to the eventual creation of the HPV vaccine. Even squirrel fibromatosis, though less studied, provides clues about viral behavior, transmission dynamics, and immune response.

There’s also a conservation angle. Tracking these conditions helps wildlife officials monitor population health and understand how environmental changes, including warmer summers and denser urban habitats, may amplify disease spread.

It’s worth noting that both the horned rabbits and zombie squirrels came into the public spotlight through viral photos online. Platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have become informal early-warning systems for unusual animal illnesses. While this sometimes fuels fear, it also provides wildlife agencies with useful crowd-sourced data.

As Van Hoose points out, it’s difficult for agencies to know whether multiple sightings represent several infected animals or just the same one seen repeatedly. Public reports when paired with expert analysis help build a clearer picture.

What to Do If You Spot A ‘Frankenstein Rabbits’ or ‘Zombie Squirrels’?

If you see a rabbit with horns or a squirrel with sores, the advice is straightforward:

• Do not touch or feed the animal.
• Do not attempt to trap or euthanize it.
• Report sightings to local wildlife authorities if requested in your area.

These animals, though unsightly, are usually not suffering long-term. Many recover naturally once their immune system clears the virus.

From rabbits with keratin “horns” to squirrels with wart-like sores, these strange cases highlight how deeply intertwined wildlife health is with human understanding of disease. They remind us that viruses are not just human problems—they shape ecosystems, influence evolution, and sometimes, unexpectedly, lead to breakthroughs that save lives.

Heart failure has quietly emerged as one of India’s most serious and underestimated health challenges, driven by a rise in hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and delayed diagnosis of heart disease.

Due to a shortage of donor organs and a long waiting period before receiving the right treatment, end-stage heart failure patients in India faced a lot of difficulties a few years ago.

Today, advancements in heart transplant techniques are changing the situation from what was once an untreatable condition to a second chance at life.

Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) shows a significant year-on-year rise in heart transplants, with 253 transplants done in 2024, showcasing improved organ donation awareness, better coordination between hospitals, and stronger transplant networks.

What was once considered the only option is now emerging as a life-saving solution, offering patients not just a second chance but a return to a more meaningful and active life.

Why Are Heart Transplants Needed?

A heart transplant offers hope and gives a second life to patients whose hearts no longer support the body even after the best available medical aid.

Although it is never performed instantly, it becomes necessary whenever conditions of the heart result in end-stage heart failure, where the pumping function of the heart is compromised.

Also read: Harish Rana’s Family Donated His Heart Valves And Corneas After His Death From Passive Euthanasia

When medications and modern technologies cannot supply an adequate amount of blood and oxygen to the organs, patients experience extreme breathlessness, fluid buildup, fatigue, and repeated hospitalizations, making even simple activities like walking, eating, or lying flat exhausting.

As the flow of blood continues to deteriorate, failure is also expected in other vital organs such as the kidneys and liver. It is at this point that the transplantation of the donor heart is considered the only treatment option to ensure that the blood flow is normalized.

How Heart Transplantation Transforms Life?

Heart transplant is not just a surgical replacement of a failing organ, but a complete life restoration for patients with end-stage heart failure.

Its benefits include:

• Normalizes Heart Functioning: A healthy donor heart can immediately restore normal and effective blood flow. This will reduce weakness and fatigue that makes carrying out everyday tasks rather difficult.
• Enhances Survival Rates: Patients diagnosed with end-stage heart failure can only experience the best post-transplant survival outcomes when they undergo the transplant procedure as compared to other medical treatments.
• Enhances Quality of Life: The patients are able to attain independence once again as they are able to walk, sleep, travel, and socialize with their families and friends.
• Prevents Frequent Hospitalization: The successful transplant procedure prevents constant hospitalization, especially in cases with deteriorating heart failure, infections, and organ dysfunction.
• Protects Other Vital Organs: By restoring adequate blood flow, heart transplantation helps reverse damage to the kidneys, liver, and lungs caused by prolonged heart failure
• Permits Return to Normal Roles and Responsibilities: Patients regain their ability to work, take care of others, and carry out their daily responsibilities, which helps their emotional well-being.

Scottish Olympic legend Liz McColgan has warned athletes to wear sun protection during their training hours to protect their skin from “lasting consequences”.

Liz McColgan shared the health warning to athletes after undergoing surgery to remove lesions on her face.

The Olympic silver medalist from Dundee shared post-surgery photographs on the social media platform Instagram and lamented that, as a young runner, she never focused on wearing sun protection.

Avoiding sun cream because she felt it made her "sweat more" was her “ignorance”, said the 61-year-old former athlete.

“As a young athlete, I trained and raced in all weathers. Sun protection was never something I gave much thought to. In fact, I avoided it. I didn’t like the feeling of creams on my skin - I thought they made me sweat more, so I convinced myself I was better off without them. Looking back, that was ignorance,” Liz McColgan said.

“Recently, I had to undergo surgery to remove two lesions on my face. It was a stark reminder that the choices we make early on - especially the ones we dismiss as unimportant - can have lasting consequences,” she added.

Liz McColgan noted that athletes keep all their focus on "performance - mileage, sessions, recovery, nutrition”, but simple things like protecting their skin are often ignored.

“Yet it’s just as much a part of our overall health and wellbeing as any training session,” she said.

Sharing the health message to both young and old athletes, McColgan said, “Take sun protection seriously. Whether you’re training, racing, or even just spending time outdoors, protecting your skin matters.”

McColgan won a silver medal in the same event at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. In 1991, she went on to win the 10,000m World Championships title in Tokyo.

Also read:5 Simple Do's And Don'ts For Healthy Skin

Why Sunscreen Is Essential

Using sunscreen protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes

• skin cancer,
• premature aging,
• painful sunburns.

Should Sunscreen Be Used Indoors Too?

Sunscreen is meant to be part of a daily skincare routine. But most people reach for sunscreen when heading to the beach or stepping out for a long day in the sun.

According to dermatologists, sunlight can still reach you indoors.

Dr Khushboo Jha, Chief Dermatologist Consultant at Metro Hospital, explains that sunlight entering through windows can still affect the skin.

“While standard window glass blocks most UVB rays, which cause sunburn, UVA rays can still pass through. These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to long-term concerns such as premature aging, uneven pigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity,” she said.

These UVA rays are often overlooked because they do not cause immediate redness or burning like UVB rays. However, over time, they can lead to visible signs of skin aging and pigmentation.

Also read: Why Should You Must Apply Sunscreen Inside A Plane?

A Practical Approach To Daily Skincare

Dermatologists suggest viewing sunscreen as a preventive skincare habit rather than a rigid rule.

Dr Jha recommends incorporating sunscreen into your morning routine, particularly if your day includes stepping outdoors or spending time in naturally lit environments.

In simple terms, if daylight reaches your workspace or you plan to go outside later in the day, applying sunscreen in the morning is a small step that can help protect your skin over time.

Many men believe that as long as they feel healthy, active, and free from major illness, their fertility remains intact. While men do not have a sudden fertility cut-off like women, age still plays an important role when it comes to male fertility. Currently, a large number of men wish to start families later in life, often thinking their good health guarantees easy conception and fatherhood. They often neglect the age factor, even though it is linked to hormonal imbalance, stress, and genetic issues. A large number of men are unaware of their fertility health and continue to suffer. However, even in the absence of visible health problems, older men may face unexpected fertility challenges. Dr Madhukar J Shinde, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, PCMC, Pune, answered this for Health and Me.

Read more: The Overlooked Role of Men in IVF: Why Their Silent Strength Is Key to Fertility Success

Why do older men struggle with infertility?

Decline in sperm quality: Various studies have confirmed that as men age, sperm count, movement, and shape can slowly decline. Even if the numbers appear normal, DNA damage in sperm increases with age, which can reduce the chances of successful fertilisation.

1. Hormonal imbalance: It is important to note that testosterone levels naturally decrease over time. Lower testosterone can affect sperm production, sexual function, and overall reproductive performance, even when a man feels physically fit.
2. Some medical conditions tend to take a toll on fertility: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders become more common with age. These may be well-managed and symptom-free, but can still affect sperm health and fertility.
3. Stress and other lifestyle factors can impact fertility: Chronic stress, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, or exposure to pollution can take a toll on sperm quality and lead to fertility issues that can be worrisome for men. Preservatives in a lot of frozen and junk food not only contribute to poor fertility health, but research suggests they may also affect DNA function. Therefore, men should stay vigilant.
4. Genetic issues: Advanced paternal age is associated with a higher risk of genetic mutations in sperm. This can further affect embryo development and increase the risk of miscarriage or certain developmental conditions.

Men must stay in touch with a fertility consultant who can design an appropriate treatment plan. The expert will evaluate them thoroughly and suggest lifestyle modifications such as a well-balanced diet, exercise, stress management through meditation, and medication for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. Awareness helps men take informed steps towards parenthood, even later in life. Certain pre-medications, including antioxidants advised by a fertility consultant, may significantly help in reducing DNA fragmentation, which contributes to poor sperm function. Therefore, men should prioritise their reproductive health, stay informed, and not suffer in silence.