Rabies statistics for 1950-81 were studied to investigate regional differences in the occurrence of rabies in the Federal Republic of Germany. At the level of Landkreis (administrative unit with a mean area of 1013 km(2)), four basic patterns of rabies incidence were identified: insignificant occurrence, low undulations, intermittent peaks, and high oscillations. The distribution of these four epidemiological patterns of rabies was geographically localized. Insignificant occurrence of rabies was found almost exclusively on land under 100 m above sea level with less than 10% forest cover. High oscillations in rabies occurrence were found most often in areas over 200 m above sea level with an average of at least 35% forest cover.