Apparently, zombie ants are real.
Well.
Kind of.
There are fungi in the Ophiocordyceps group that infect certain ants and eventually alter their behavior.
The infected ant leaves its normal routine, climbs onto vegetation, and clamps its jaws down.
Then it dies.
And the fungus grows out of its body so it can release spores and infect more ants.
So basically—
the fungus uses the ant as transportation, decides where it would like the body parked, kills it there, and then uses the corpse to reproduce.
🍄
Nature really looked at zombies and said:
I can do that.
Anyway.
Happy October.
You’re welcome for the unnecessary information. 🖤
Until next time,
-Destiny
P.S. If you knew an animal had been infected by something that could control its behavior, would you want to know how it worked—or would you rather remain blissfully ignorant?
