News Life

A parasite makes wolves more likely to become pack leaders

Toxoplasma gondii infections have a dramatic impact on the social decisions of gray wolves

three gray wolves standing in the snow

Gray wolves can take on some risky behaviors when infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Russell Burden/Photodisc/Getty

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

A parasite might be driving some wolves to lead or go solo.