Zombie Animals: Parasites Take Control!

A worm call Leucochloridium needs to reach a bird's stomach in order to reproduce and spread in the bird's waste. How it gets there sounds like science fiction! By infesting a snail's eyestalks and controlling its brain, this parasite sends the snail into the open with eyestalks that now resemble caterpillars, which are a bird's favorite snack. Readers are introduced to the poor zombie snail and its role in the parasite-host relationship. Full-color photographs showcase the incredible changes the snail undergoes once infected by the parasite. Fascinating fact boxes and main content offer readers the gross, but cool, details.

Ants are known for being industrious insects. They follow set paths to find food and are often seen walking in a straight line. If you follow them, they'll lead you right back to their nest. When scientists found ants that were walking off course in tropical forests, they knew something was wrong. Readers learn all the latest information about these fascinating zombie ants, including what causes their strange behavior and what threat it poses to their species. Full-color photographs show the deadly end of these ants, and fact boxes offer more details about a rare parasitic phenomenon.

A parasite exists that can make a male crab believe it's a female crab. It forces the crab it infects to care for parasite eggs and even help release the larvae into the ocean to infect other crabs! These zombie crabs are never aware that they are infected nor do they harm the parasite. A fascinating look at the parasite-host relationship, this volume will keep readers turning pages with great interest. Full-color photographs of infected crabs offer captivating examples of how the parasite takes over the crab's body, while the main content also includes how it takes over the crab's mind.

Tapeworms aren't just a problem for people. They control a fish called the stickleback, directing it to superhot water where the tapeworm has a chance to grow as big as it can. If the tapeworm gets its way-and it often does-infected fish end up with huge bellies full of a tapeworm that may be bigger than the fish! Readers learn all about this terrible parasite as well as others that turn fish into zombies. Full-color photographs enhance intriguing science content, including how the fish survives a parasitic infestation and how each parasite spreads.

A parasite's main goal is to survive-whether or not their host does. The hairworm is a prime example of this, forcing its grasshopper host to leap to its death so the hairworm can swim away happily. Including an introduction to parasite-host relationships, the main content in this volume will fascinate readers and supports the science curriculum. Detailed fact boxes and colorful photographs add even more fun, gross, and terrifying information about the zombie grasshopper and its terrible traveling companion, the hairworm.

Birds, spiders, and other insects all like to eat caterpillars. But some kinds of caterpillars face a scarier threat: predators that take control of them! Readers learn all about parasites, specifically those that make zombies out of their caterpillar prey. Full-color photographs show these parasites in action, from the gross emergence of wasp larvae to the disgusting liquefaction of dead caterpillars by a nasty virus. Fascinating fact boxes engage readers with a host of details fit for a horror movie-even though they could happen right in your backyard!