Which pest is described as a 6-8 pound vertebrate that feeds mainly on insects and is a key rabies vector?

Which pest is described as a 6-8 pound vertebrate that feeds mainly on insects and is a key rabies vector?

• A. Skunks
• B. Raccoons
• C. Opossums
• D. Badgers

Answer: (A)

Rabies vectors are animals that frequently carry and transmit the rabies virus, so identifying a species that is both a common carrier and a good match for the given traits is key. The striped skunk fits the description well: a mid-sized mammal weighing about 6–8 pounds and feeding mainly on insects, especially when insects are abundant. Skunks are also well-established rabies reservoirs in many regions, making them a classic and accurate example in pest control and wildlife disease contexts. While raccoons can carry rabies, they are generally heavier and more omnivorous; opossums eat insects but have a comparatively lower role as rabies vectors; badgers aren’t typically highlighted as primary rabies carriers. Therefore, skunks are the best fit.

Rabies vectors are animals that frequently carry and transmit the rabies virus, so identifying a species that is both a common carrier and a good match for the given traits is key. The striped skunk fits the description well: a mid-sized mammal weighing about 6–8 pounds and feeding mainly on insects, especially when insects are abundant. Skunks are also well-established rabies reservoirs in many regions, making them a classic and accurate example in pest control and wildlife disease contexts. While raccoons can carry rabies, they are generally heavier and more omnivorous; opossums eat insects but have a comparatively lower role as rabies vectors; badgers aren’t typically highlighted as primary rabies carriers. Therefore, skunks are the best fit.