Parasites are strange, complex, and often disturbingly clever organisms. Here are some fascinating facts about them: 🧠 Mind-Control Masters - Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite found in cats, can infect rodents and change their behavior—making them attracted to cat urine instead of avoiding it. This helps the parasite return to its preferred host: the cat. 🧠 Brain Parasite: Toxoplasma gondii | Found in undercooked meat and cat feces, this protozoan infects up to 1/3 of the global population. In humans, it can subtly alter behavior and has been linked to changes in risk-taking, mental health, and even attraction. Studies suggest it may increase dopamine production + has been associated with conditions like schizophrenia. 🐛 Tapeworms: Can live for decades! | Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm, can live in your intestines for up to 30 years, growing over 20 feet long. If its eggs get into the bloodstream (often via poor hygiene), they can cause neurocysticercosis, a brain infection that leads to seizures and death. 🧬 Extreme Specialization Parasites like the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts—often including snails, fish, or livestock before reaching humans. The guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) grows up to 3ft. long inside the human body and emerges slowly through the skin, often at the feet. 🪱an anti-parasitic foot bath is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! 👂 Botfly Larvae: Living Under Your Skin! Human botflies (Dermatobia hominis) lay their eggs on mosquitoes. When the mosquito bites you, the larvae enter the wound. They live and grow under the skin, creating a boil-like bump until removed. HIGHLY recommended to tape bacon or smear petroleum jelly to suffocate and coax them out is key to removal! Continued in comments!