Yes, the incubation period for rabies — the time between a bite and the appearance of symptoms — can vary greatly. It’s usually between 1 and 3 months, but in some cases, symptoms may appear as early as a few days or as late as several years after exposure. The length depends on factors like the location of the bite (closer to the brain means faster spread), the amount of virus introduced, and the person’s immune response. Because of this unpredictability, post-exposure treatment must start immediately, even if the bite seems minor or symptoms haven’t appeared.