Why does it seem animals can live with rabies a lot longer than humans can?

Question

Or is that just an ILLUSION?

Answer 1

the virus is highly fatal to humans, whereas to animals, not so(though still fatal in some ways). This is also similar to the venom of the funnel web spiders, their venom is dangerous to humans yet dogs and cats seems to have the ability to endure the poison.

Answer 2

It's endemic in some animals, like bats and skunks. Perhaps they have built up an immunity.

Answer 3

They can't.