Here in Washington the only known carrier of rabies is bats. In other states raccoons, skunks, foxes or coyotes can carry rabies. About 5-10% of the bats tested carry rabies. The bats that are tested usually are those that are caught because they are either sick or have been trapped. Probably less than 1% of all bats have the virus.
Bats do humans a service - an individual bat consumes hundreds of insects each night. They are a vital part of our ecological system and should not be destroyed indiscriminately.
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