murdorito: muchneededmerch: the-science-llama: If you don’t think evolution is badass yet, her
murdorito:muchneededmerch:the-science-llama:If you don’t think evolution is badass yet, here is a parasitic fungus that takes over EVERY tissue cell in the victim and the fruiting body eventually sprouts from the corpse in order to spread the infection. Some species affect the behavior of the host turning it into a zombie. Check out this videoThis is why The Last Of Us is the most realistic zombie scenario. Toxoplasma gondii does a similarly fascinating thing that usually involves mice and cats. The mice suddenly become interested in running around in the open during the day so that the next host, cats, will catch and eat them. The thing is… toxoplasma can then infect humans from cat litter.You can get toxoplasma, sure, but sub-clinical levels have a very fascinating effect. It gets into your brain and changes your behavior. You get withdrawn, you rarely go out. You react slower. Your personality changes. The changes are permanent. You’ll never be the same.A third of the world population is currently carrying toxoplasmodia gondii.I’m not kidding.Sleep well, Tumblr. -- source link