Parasite Rex

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1. fiparJun 2026
   I think it’s very common for parasites to affect their host’s behavior.

   If you find this topic interesting, I recommend the book “Parasite Rex”

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2. the-mitrDec 2025
   A very interesting read on this topic is Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer. Fascinating life cycles that involve parasites and sometime multiple hosts. It seems having parasites is the norm.

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite_Rex

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3. leonimJan 2025
   If you are interested in this subject, Carl Zimmer wrote a great book that has all sorts of examples of parasites that control their host: "Parasite Rex: Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures"

   https://www.amazon.com/Parasite-Rex-Bizarre-Dangerous-Creatu...

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4. fiparAug 2024
   This is an excellent book for anyone that finds this subject interesting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite_Rex
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5. ekiddAug 2024
   The book Parasite Rex (2001) by Carl Zimmer is fantastic, and it inspired quite a few researchers to go into the study of parasites: https://www.amazon.com/Parasite-Rex-Bizarre-Dangerous-Creatu...

   The book manages to be gross and fascinating and occasionally beautiful.

   Given the age, I'm sure some of the science is outdated, perhaps even by people who grew up reading the book. But it remains one of my favorites, and it's an accessible read. If not always a comfortable one!

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6. biotinkerAug 2024
   > it inspired quite a few researchers to go into the study of parasites

   That was me!

   First I read Peeps by Scott Westerfeld when I was ~13, where ever odd numbered chapter is the story, and every even numbered chapter describes a different parasite.

   At the end of the book was a blurb that said "if you enjoyed the parasite chapters, go read Parasite Rex, which I did. I loved it.

   That book inspired me to take AP Bio, then get degrees in molecular biology and bioinformatics. In college I did research on a few different species of parasitic wasp for a couple years. I've written the wikipedia page for two different parasitic wasps and given numerous presentations on my favorite wasps.

   The wasps are more of a spare time passion these days, though. It's much easier to make a living with bioinformatics and robotics.

   I still keep my (well-worn) copy of Parasite Rex on the nightstand.

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