One of the weirdest animal behaviors I’ve heard of is the “zombie-ant fungus” phenomenon. The fungus, scientifically known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, infects carpenter ants and takes control of their central nervous system. Once infected, the ant leaves its colony and climbs to a high location in the forest. There, the fungus compels the ant to bite down on a leaf or twig, securing it in place. Afterward, the fungus consumes the ant from the inside out and eventually sprouts out of its head, releasing spores to infect more ants below. It’s a striking example of how a parasite can manipulate a host’s behavior for its own reproductive advantage!
One of the weirdest animal behaviors I’ve heard of is the “zombie-ant fungus” phenomenon. The fungus, scientifically known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, infects carpenter ants and takes control of their central nervous system. Once infected, the ant leaves its colony and climbs to a high location in the forest. There, the fungus compels the ant to bite down on a leaf or twig, securing it in place. Afterward, the fungus consumes the ant from the inside out and eventually sprouts out of its head, releasing spores to infect more ants below. It’s a striking example of how a parasite can manipulate a host’s behavior for its own reproductive advantage!