Wolves might be puppets to a certain parasite, which makes them take risks. Wolves infected with Toxoplasma gondii are more likely to go solo or challenge other wolves to become the pack leader, both of which are reckless and bold decisions for wolves. These actions can go either way: the wolves could benefit from these decisions, but on the flip side, they could meet death. Toxoplasma gondii has quite a reputation for its ability to bend animal behavior. Cats are one of its most important hosts, as these parasites breed in cat intestines.
The effects of the mind-altering powers of this parasite on wolves are stunning. Wolves infected by T. gondii are 11 times more likely to become pack leaders or go solo. These results were observed in wolves in Yellowstone, a region in which cougars are infected with the same parasite. It is also possible that infected wolves might intrude into cougars’ territories, putting themselves at risk of picking up even more parasites.
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