Changing the behavior of hosts under the influence of parasites

There are many examples demonstrating the change in behavior of hosts under the influence of parasites. In some cases, the observed changes in behavior are a side effect of the pathology caused by the presence of the parasite. In other cases, the changes in behavior of hosts are directed, evolutionarily fixed mechanisms of survival of the parasite, which appeared in the process of close mutual adaptation of members of the parasitic system. Such mechanisms increase the probability of transmission of the pathogen between different hosts and successful completion of the life cycle of the parasite. The article discusses the influence of various parasites on intermediate and definitive hosts.