Parasites
Latest about parasites
![A cat hides under a rug with its butt sticking out.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cdkg4gDwXi9JgTq6ZdiyDJ-320-80.jpg)
Why do cats and dogs rub their butts on the floor?
By Tyler Santora published
Here's why your cat or dog might be rubbing its butt on the floor.
![The small ceramic pot contained preserved eggs of a human intestinal parasite.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LYdjr99zTcR2Faq7GSjXhR-320-80.jpeg)
1,500-year-old Roman 'flower pot' was actually a port-o-potty
By Brandon Specktor published
The preserved eggs of a human intestinal parasite prove that a fifth century Roman pot was used as a toilet.
![Thousands of vinegar eels swim in unison inside a droplet of water](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8vsZDmaByupT7F8VG7tTk4-320-80.jpeg)
Watch thousands of 'vinegar eels' swarm through a water droplet in amazing new video
By Brandon Specktor published
The microscopic nematodes known as vinegar eels move together in a strange synchronized swimming routine, new research videos show.
![That's no spittle: The white marks around this tarantula's mouth are a tangle of parasites called nematodes.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ApjuaLepqrr5PYZ6yau3bH-320-80.jpeg)
Parasitic worm forces tarantulas to tiptoe, then starves them to death
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists discovered a new type of parasitic worm that only infects the mouths of tarantula spiders.
![This creepy isopod is serving as a prosthetic tongue.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d9NJUDGjwqzdyo7uA7cQpY-320-80.jpg)
Social vomit and hairy eyeballs: 10 times animals grossed us out in 2021
By Mindy Weisberger published
Here are some of our favorite gross-outs in science news this year.
![Why would male flies mate with dead females? A fungus made them do it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VB9kZYbxHMjXRHKjCGER9g-320-80.jpg)
Mind-controlling fungus makes male flies mate with dead, infected females
By Mindy Weisberger published
The pathogenic fungus Entomophthora muscae doesn't just kill the flies it infects; it also turns males into sex-crazed necrophiliacs.
![This creepy isopod is serving as a prosthetic tongue](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d9NJUDGjwqzdyo7uA7cQpY-320-80.jpg)
'Tongue-eating' lice invade fish's mouth in this year's creepiest Halloween photo
By Joanna Thompson published
Tongue-eating parasites chow down on fishes' mouths and eventually replace their tongues
![Scientists captured this image of a tick's head at Ohio State University's Campus Microscopy and Imaging Facility.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o44oosX2WpojRXi58EJGKc-320-80.jpg)
Tick transforms into a glowing alien from a sci-fi nightmare in trippy photo
By Mindy Weisberger published
Outstanding examples of stunning microscopy were recently honored in the Nikon Small World contest.
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