Texas Animal Control Officer Practice Test

Which of the following animals is NOT considered high risk for rabies?

1. Bat

2. Raccoon

3. Opossum

4. Fox

The correct answer is: Opossum

When determining which animal is not considered high risk for rabies, it’s important to understand rabies transmission and the behavior of various animals. Bats, raccoons, and foxes are all known carriers of rabies due to their interactions with wildlife and their aggressive behavior when infected. These species are frequently found to be involved in cases of rabies transmission to humans or domestic animals. In contrast, opossums are generally not considered high risk for rabies. This is largely due to their unique biological and behavioral characteristics. Opossums have a lower body temperature compared to other mammals, which makes it less likely for the rabies virus to thrive and infect them. Additionally, they are not as aggressive in nature and typically avoid confrontations that could lead to bites, further lowering their risk of rabies infection. Thus, the opossum stands out as an animal that does not commonly carry the rabies virus, resulting in its classification as lower risk compared to the other animals listed.