Almost Yeerks?

[Kitulean]

Well, not quite. But there is a parasitic worm that infects these certain snails and takes over the brain, forcing them to go into the open so that birds can eat them. The parasites then reproduce inside the worm and come out through the ahhh... bird excrement to infest more snails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWB_COSUXMw

[Alex Oiknine]

Animal Planet had a documentary of a paraside that does that to ants! Except what it makes the ants do is walk up to the top of a stalk of grass and hang off if it, waiting to be consumed by a rabbit.

[KitsuneMarie]

Whaaaaaat! I hope they don't come in infest-the-humans size!

[Alex Oiknine]

Fortunately I do not think humans would hang off of grass or be eaten by rabbits very well :3

Here's a really, really scary one o.O;;

[spoiler][youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMG-LWyNcAs&feature=related[/youtube][/spoiler]

It was one of the related videos to your own. I guess I should warn people this video is kinda sad? It's still bugs' lives. Apparently getting what you want reproductively by controlling the brains of insects isn't that uncommon??? >>

Dang we could probably make a whole media thread of bug mind control.

LOL now there's a wasp outside my window and I am scared by it.

[Stephquiem]

Whaaaaaat! I hope they don't come in infest-the-humans size!

Look on the bright side! We're too big to be eaten by a bird!

[KitsuneMarie]

Have you SEEN Big Bird? O.O

[Stephquiem]

...Nevermind. EVERYBODY PANIC!

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Dude. Nature rocks.

[Alex Oiknine]

Elephant birds were apparently vegetarian, so maybe we can calm down a bit!

Is big bird like some caricature of an elephant bird, or is he a purebred carnivore >>

[Kitulean]

I never did trust Big Bird. Not one little bit.

And that's crazy, Alex. Those insects are scary and amazing.

[Stephquiem]

Elephant birds were apparently vegetarian, so maybe we can calm down a bit!

Is big bird like some caricature of an elephant bird, or is he a purebred carnivore >>

That's the terrible part! D: How are we ever to know for sure?

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Elephant birds were apparently vegetarian, so maybe we can calm down a bit!

Is big bird like some caricature of an elephant bird, or is he a purebred carnivore >>

That's the terrible part! D: How are we ever to know for sure?

Research! Big Bird eats bird seed! And yes, I do own that movie. It's wonderful.

[Nar Klawip]

Well these parasites transform the hosts into swollen, colorful, pulsating targets. Does anyone agree that the Animorphs would have had a much easier time identifying controllers if they did that?

And have you seen some of those prehistoric birds, they could definitely eat a person!

http://civilizer.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/terror-bird.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2nXZsU4KLhY/ScPPqF7DdfI/AAAAAAAADZQ/SXE564sv2-E/s1600-h/b2.jpg
http://romanmd.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/the-largest-terror-bird-4.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2nXZsU4KLhY/ScPPqF7DdfI/AAAAAAAADZQ/SXE564sv2-E/s1600-h/b2.jpg
http://romanmd.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/368424021_237f8a3d3a.jpg
http://michaelmay.us/09blog/07/0715_gastornis.jpg
http://animaladay.blogspot.com/2010/06/magnificent-argentine-bird.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/23908938.html

[Alex Oiknine]

Yes, it would be easier, though more disturbing to see controllers ACTUALLY looking like O.O but with huge pulsating colors there.

[Nar Klawip]

Yeah, now I have thoughts of visser three/one with huge, throbbing, swollen, color changing eyestalks! LOL!