The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain of
rabid animals. It can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or
brain tissue in a wound or in the eye or mouth.
Only mammals get rabies; birds, fish, reptiles,
and amphibians do not. Skunks, bats, foxes, raccoons, dogs, cats, and some
farm animals are most likely to get rabies. Rabbits, squirrels, rats and
mice, and pets like gerbils and hamsters seldom get it.