How the parasite Toxoplasma tricks rats into becoming cat food

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Stanford University researchers have discovered how the Toxoplasma parasite tricks rats into being eaten by cats. According to research published in the Aug. 17 issue of Public Library of Science ONE, in male rats infected with Toxoplasma, the brain region that is activated by an attractive female rat also responds to the scent of cat urine. The parasite alters circuits in the amygdala, muddling attraction and fear and making rats less afraid of cats. Toxoplasma can only reproduce inside cats.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• cat
• rat
• science
• Toxoplasma
• parasite
• brain
• amygdala

[CORHENE]

I've read on an article that some people are infected by these parasites too

[abram730]

cats cover their poo... At least they try.

It takes 2 days for the eggs to hatch so keep that box clean and wash your hands after and stay away from that crazy cat lady.

[dddaminton]

zombie rat E_e

[celanousproductions]

I quite liked this...you should make more educational videos like this one.

[KuostA]

@illustriouschin i loled

[illustriouschin]

@KuostA Cats don't typically have control over what their poo does.

[KuostA]

wait...so this is something the parasites do, or is it something the cats do. or its mutual, the parasites do that to the rats so the rats go to the cat, the cat eats the rat, and the parasites reproduce.

[orioncheung]

whaaaaaa... thats new to me.

[lmurphymarie]

Who the hell has rats runnin across their livinroom like that?! Wth!