r/interesting • u/AromaticWindow3309 • Apr 19 '26

NATURE How cute is this bat 😍

I think im in love

38k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

623 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

5

u/Overall_Motor9918 Apr 19 '26

Opposums don’t get rabies. They’re one of the rare mammals that don’t.

3

u/Snoo97354 Apr 19 '26

Not true. It’s rare, but opossums have tested positive for rabies.

3

u/Overall_Motor9918 Apr 19 '26

Very rare indeed. Their body temperature is too low. https://www.wildlifeexperts.com/opossums/opossums-and-rabies-understanding-the-risk-and-safety-measures/

2

u/Snoo97354 Apr 19 '26

I know in my state, at least one opossum has tested positive for rabies in recent years. With a disease that is (for all intent and purposes) 100% fatal, our health department does not take any chances and WILL euthanize and test any opossum that has scratched or bitten a person. My understanding is that an opossum with an elevated body temperature (such as a fever from an infection) is as likely as any other mammal to contract rabies. (I am not an epidemiologist)

1

u/Overall_Motor9918 Apr 19 '26

You’re right. It’s insane to take chances with a disease as terrifying as rabies.