update: I came back to feed him today and now we’re going to start a band
one word: Toxoplasmosis.
It’s a parasite that infects small animals, namely rodents and sometimes birds, and takes control of their brains. They lose fear of predators, in some cases becoming attracted to them. The hope for the parasite is that they’ll be eaten so they can carry on their life cycle through feces that’s eaten by another rodent.
To the person who thought they would do some fact-dropping and throw out the ‘toxoplasmosis’ card without actually doing fact checking themselves.
Stop.
Toxoplasmosis (T.gondii) is a feline-related affliction. It can only procreate inside a cat, or other members of the feline family. However, it can be transferred to other species, and often does so without those species ever being aware of it.
Something like 70% of domestic cats in America have T.gondii. Cows, pigs, horses, domesticated and wild animals can have t. gondii.
It manifests in symptoms of cysts and rashes (internal and external) including your lungs and brains, but only if your immune system is unable to keep it in check.
Feeding wild animals doesn’t increase your chances of getting T.gondii any more than drinking unpasteurized milk, or eating eggs, or owning a cat.
There is no known correlation between toxoplasmosis and animals ‘losing fear of predators’. Most people can have it and not know, unless you have a weakened immune system to the degree of HIV/AIDS in which case it can manifest itself as flu-like symptoms and even seizures.
This shit is literally fucking everywhere.
Please stop throwing out your wholly incorrect fear-mongering.
