The parasite affects the minds of wolves and changes their behavior; understand

Research published in the scientific journal “Communications Biology” has shown that there is something different in the behavior of wolves infected by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite.

According to the study, these wolves are 46 times more likely to become leaders of their pack.

This research was conducted over 26 years and involved the analysis of more than 200 blood samples from wolves in Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

Although cats are the main transmitters of this parasite, research shows that the territory of wolves may coincide with that of pumas, which also carry Toxoplasma gondii.

Contamination can occur when wolves share prey with these cats or come into direct contact with their carcasses or feces.

Another discovery related to the behavior of infected wolves is their tendency to move away from their area of ​​origin.

Infected males, for example, have a 50% chance of leaving the herd within six months, while infected females have a 25% chance of leaving the herd within 30 months.

The fact that some become leaders is linked to the increase in testosterone levels caused by the parasite, which causes wolves to become more aggressive and dominant, facilitating their rise in the pack.

“Due to the group living structure of the gray wolf pack, pack leaders have a disproportionate influence on their pack mates and group decisions,” the study authors said.

Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled protozoan that can cause the disease called toxoplasmosis. It is found worldwide and infects many animals, including cats, sheep, pigs and birds.

Cats are the “definitive hosts” of the parasite, meaning they are the only animals capable of completing the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii.

When an infected cat defecates, it releases oocysts into the environment. These oocysts can survive for months in soil, water and food.

Humans can contract toxoplasmosis in two ways: by eating raw or undercooked meat from infected animals or by coming into contact with feces from infected cats.

Toxoplasmosis generally has no symptoms in healthy adults, but in some cases it can cause fever, headache, tiredness, and muscle aches.

Target of the research, wolves are wild canids belonging to the Canis genus, together with coyotes, jackals and dogs. They are social animals that live in packs, family groups led by an alpha male and an alpha female.

The packs cooperate in hunting, raising young and defending the territory.

There are four main species of wolf: the gray wolf (the most common of all), the red wolf (found in the southeastern United States, but threatened with extinction), the Ethiopian wolf (native to Ethiopia) and the brown wolf. mane (common in South America).

The size of a wolf varies greatly depending on the species. The gray wolf, for example, is the largest of all and can reach 1.6 meters from the tip of its nose to its tail.

The life expectancy of a gray wolf is approximately 16 years.

Packs can contain 5 to 12 individuals and all have strict hierarchies.

Some of wolves’ favorite prey are deer, elk, and bison, but they also eat small mammals, birds, and fish.

Wolves usually mate in late winter. Gestation lasts approximately 63 days and the female gives birth to 4 to 6 puppies.

An interesting fact is that wolf pups are born blind and deaf and remain so for several days, depending on which adults in the pack receive protection and food.

In the past, wolves were intensively hunted, which led to a reduction in their population in several regions. Today they are protected by law in many places, and reintroduction programs have helped their populations recover in areas where they were extinct.

Wolves play an important ecological role, helping to maintain balance in the ecosystems in which they live. Its return to some areas has shown benefits for local biodiversity.