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Fungi and slime molds race to decompose dead matter on the forest floor.
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Many spread by releasing spores up to thirty thousand a second.
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If just one of these spores lands in the right place, and takes root, it can colonize a whole new area.
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But not all fungi feed on the dead.
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Days ago, a spore landed on this ant. Now she's acting strange.
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A network of roots has infiltrated her muscles.
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Her body has been taken over by cordyceps, a parasitic fungus.
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It floods her brain with chemicals, drugging her, compelling her to head where conditions are perfect.
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Just the right amount of light.
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Just the right amount of humidity for the parasite growing inside.
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It forces her to clamp down in a death bite.
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And cordyceps reveals its gruesome nature.
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After three weeks of growth, cordyceps can release its own spores.
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Infecting more ants.
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Releasing more spores.
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Infecting more ants.
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Releasing more spores.
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Infecting more ants.
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Infecting more ants.
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More ants.
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More ants.
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Cordyceps can wipe out entire ant colonies.
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But more than just ants are at risk.
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There are over six hundred species of cordyceps spread across the world.
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Most are found in jungles where they prey on a whole host of victims.