Cryptomundo
for Bigfoot, Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents and More

Cryptomundian nwalla submits the following:

I’ve got photographic evidence of a cryptid for you, behold a Jackalope. Cottontail rabbit papilloma virus (CRPV) or Shope papillomavirus was the first mammalian model of a cancer caused by a virus. The virus, which causes horn like tumors, is a possible source of myths about the Jackalope, a rabbit with the antlers of an antelope, and related cryptids such as the wolpertinger. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator I have helped care for thousands of wild animals, and have seen this virus many times over the years. But last week this Cottontail Rabbit came in for care and I can totally see how CRPV would be the roots to this mythical creature!

I have no formal cryptid history or research to speak of but I am very interested by all of the unknown creatures. I only recently realize my interest and basic knowledge of all things crypitd wasn’t so normal when this rabbit came in and I was elated to have a Jackalope as a patient. Sadly I could not save her and humanely ended her suffering. I was at work near Minneapolis, Minnesota when the rabbit was brought in for care. It was found in New Hope, MN after being attacked by a dog. Sadly, the dog inflicted fatal internal injuries and I had to euthanize the poor girl. But her cancers had spread to mouth, and she was not in good condition before attack and I would likely have had to put her down due to poor health. Once the tumors start in the mouth they can cause the animal to starve to death… and it’s contagious to other rabbits upon direct contact. A few days after the rabbit had come in, one of my longtime volunteers emailed me saying she was so excited to share with her family/friends in England that she helped care for a Jackalope but they told her it was a mythical creature. I felt so bad that she thought I was referring to Jackalope as sub-species of Cottontail Rabbit.

~ nwalla

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 11:00 am and is filed under Bigfoot Report, Cryptomundo Exclusive, Cryptozoology, Evidence, Folklore, Guest Blog, Photos, Pop Culture, Weird Animal News. You can follow responses via our RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.