Why does only mammals get rabies?

Rabies primarily affects mammals due to the specific receptors for the rabies virus found in their nervous systems, which allow the virus to invade and replicate effectively. While other animals may be exposed to the virus, it is the physiological and immunological characteristics of mammals that make them susceptible to its pathogenic effects. Additionally, the behavior and ecology of mammals facilitate the transmission of the virus, often through bites and scratches. Other animal classes, like birds and reptiles, have different immune responses and neural structures that do not support the virus's lifecycle in the same way.