Zombie fungus

About Zombie fungus:

• The 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.

Key facts about Tarantulas

• 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.
• Adult tarantulas average five inches (13 centimeters) long. When spread out, their leg span is up to 11 inches (28 centimeters).

Q1: What are Carpenter ants?

These are so-named because these social insects excavate galleries in wood to create nest sites. They use their strong jaws (mandibles) to remove quantities of wood as they expand the size of their nests. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not consume wood.

Source: Nightmarish video of tarantula infected by zombie fungus goes viral: ‘Burn it with fire’