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Get your gag reflex ready, you're going to need it.
The Spotted Rose Snapper Fish, which lives off the coast of California, is plagued by what must be one of the most disturbing parasites in all of nature. The crustacean parasite, called Cymothoa exigua, enters the fish's mouth and leeches blood from the fish's tongue until the muscle atrophies and dies. The parasite then attaches itself to the withered tongue-stump, and acts as a working replacement for the organ, spending the rest of its life living off bits of food that enter the fish's mouth.
The Cymothoa exigua is the only parasite known to effectively replace a body organ.
We're speachless, and perhaps a bit afraid of exposing our tongues.
This is just down right disturbing. But at the same time extremely damn interesting. I can't help but to put myself in the fish's shoes. I bet the feeling of a parasite in your mouth that you can do nothing about is very unpleasant. The look on the fish's face says it all……"WTF?!"
Abu Ibrahim gave this link in "Mind-Controlling Wasps and Zombie Spiders":
http://www.bogleech.com/bio.html
This site includes this creature as well as tons of other really strange ones. Thanks for that link Abu, cool information.
Chory said: "We're speachless"
Well that comment is a bit tongue-in-cheek.
Ok that is just disgusting! That's all I have to say about that…
Wow, I'm not opening my mouth in the water again for the rest of my life.
It's really interesting going through the archives and seeing how this site has evolved over the last year. I'm glad that the newer articles are longer, it shows the growth and maturation of the staff of this wonderful site.
Sometimes I think an organ of mine might have a mind of its own!!
Horrifying, but not unique: newsia (foxus) is a fire-spitting, bile-secreting parasite which often replaces the tongues of media.
Enter your reply text here. OK
Good read. What else is new, natural world explainations are always genuine good stuff.
People shut up and stop being afraid. One day of fright and then back into the water.
WOW! How come no one else has commented on this?! IT'S INCREDIBLE!!!