Zombie fungus:
Wildlife researcher Chris Ketola shared a video which shows a tarantula infected by a zombie fungus.
- Zombie fungus or Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, drains its host entirely of nutrients.
- It also fills the host body with spores, allowing the fungus to reproduce.
- It seizes control of the mind and motor functions of its host before eating away at its body.
- Cordyceps is a genus of fungi that primarily attacks invertebrates and mainly infects insects such as ants or spiders.
- The fungus is largely pantropical and primarily infects carpenter ants.
- Tarantulas are a type of large, hairy spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae.
- There are over 900 species of tarantulas found all over the world, except for Antarctica.
- They move slowly on their eight hairy legs, but they are accomplished nocturnal predators.
