less than 1 minute read

Thorny-Headed Worms: Acanthocephala

Thorny-headed Worms And People

Very few species of thorny-headed worms cause disease in humans.

DRIVING THE HOST CRAZY

To make sure their life cycle is complete, thorny-headed worms can change the behavior of their hosts. For example, one species of crustacean normally swims to the bottom of the water when a duck is near. When infected with thorny-headed worms, however, this crustacean swims up and attaches itself to a rock, making itself easy prey for the duck, which becomes the primary host.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceJellyfish, Sponges, and Other Simple AnimalsThorny-Headed Worms: Acanthocephala - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Thorny-headed Worms And People, No Common Name (moniliformis Moniliformis): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS