A parasitic worm has taken over the motor functions and eye stalks of this snail, making them into caterpillar mimetics so that birds will eat them. The worm can then reproduce in the bird's GI tract, eventually transmitting via its feces.

This zombie snail. A parasitic worm Leucochloridium has taken over its motor functions and eyestalks, making them into caterpillar mimics so birds will eat them.

/r/natureismetal: Nature is Metal - Badass pictures, gifs and videos of the awesome true brutality of nature - December 5, 2021 - 20:35

If snails have about 3 pistons, why can’t they go faster?

/r/shittyaskscience: disprove that Reddit's New Look causes skin cancer - Ask Shitty Scientists your Shitty Science Questions - August 14, 2019 - 03:06

A parasitic worm has taken over the motor functions and eye stalks of this snail, making them into caterpillar mimetics so that birds will eat them. The worm can then reproduce in the bird's GI tract, eventually transmitting via its feces.

/r/thanksihateit: Thanks, I hate it - The original Thanks I Hate It - August 13, 2019 - 22:17

/r/johndiesattheend: John Dies at the End - August 13, 2019 - 13:43

/r/interestingasfuck: Interesting As Fuck - For anything that is InterestingAsFuck - August 13, 2019 - 11:33

/r/sciences: r/Sciences - Science on Reddit - A community for people who like science - August 13, 2019 - 11:33

MFW I slither across some acid

/r/shittyreactiongifs: shittyreactiongifs - Every reaction gif is shitty if it's on reddit. - August 13, 2019 - 14:17

Nope nope nope

/r/nope: Nope - Things that make you say "nope!" - August 13, 2019 - 13:39

Leucochloridium is a parasitic worm that infects snails. It takes over motor function in the eye stalks, making them into caterpillar mimetics so that birds will eat them. The worm can then reproduce in the bird's GI tract, eventually transmitting via its feces.

/r/oddlyterrifying: oddlyterrifying - oddly terrifying things - August 13, 2019 - 13:39

/r/ScienceFacts: Science is awesome! - All fields of science are fascinating and there is so much to learn. Have a great fact? Become an approved submitter and share it here! Science Facts are for new breakthroughs, well-worn facts, and discussion about your favorite science topics. - August 13, 2019 - 13:17