A parasite makes wolves more likely to become pack leaders- Audrey Wilcox
Picture source: Russel Burden/Photodisc/Getty https://www.sciencenews.org/article/wolves-parasite-pack-leader-toxoplasma-gondii
In Yellowstone National Park they’ve discovered a parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, in wolves. Wolves that have this parasite are more likely to make daring decisions. This parasite has been found in other animals, mostly cats, and it alters animal behavior in all the animals it infects, not just wolves. They think wolves got the parasite from cougars in the area. When researchers looked at blood samples from wolves they noticed a trend where wolves with the parasite were 11 more times likely to leave their pack and 46 more times likely to become a leader. The parasite tweaks certain hormones in the animal, and this makes them more aggressive and bolder. Sometimes this behavior can be dangerous for the animal, because they’re more likely to put themselves into riskier situations. Scientists do not know how this parasite will affect survival and reproduction rates.
Do you think wolves with the parasite or wolves without the parasite would make better leaders?
How would this parasite affect survival and reproduction rates?
Why would the parasite alter hormones in the animal?
Article link: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/wolves-parasite-pack-leader-toxoplasma-gondii
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