PubHawk
August 2000 PMID 11007336

Fatal attraction in rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

M Berdoy, J P Webster, D W Macdonald

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Mentions

165
Peak: 8 in Nov 2023
across 7 sources since Jul 2020

Extended reach

321,210
potential audience

Total likes

9,778

Video views

271,899

Mentions per month

Jul 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News88 articles
  • Blogs34 articles
  • X / Twitter25 posts
  • Facebook9 posts
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Reddit4 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, these discussions reveal a strong interest and engagement with the research, with examples such as mentions of rats being fatally attracted to cats, and comments about how the parasite could alter human behavior. The tone varies from scientific acknowledgment to humorous and speculative remarks, highlighting both curiosity and the perception of significant scientific impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts acknowledge the significance of the research, with many emphasizing the idea that Toxoplasma gondii influences animal behavior and potentially human brains.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate a high level of curiosity, citing surprising facts like the parasite convincing rats to seek out cats and discussing potential implications for humans.

EngagementModerate engagement

Discussions include references to scientific studies, media coverage, and humorous or speculative comments, indicating moderate to deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The topic is portrayed as impactful, especially regarding understanding parasitic influence on behavior and its possible implications for public health and biosecurity.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
FurBearingMammal
@FurryVarmint · X

@BadMedicalTakes No, they don't change your sexual orientation. https://t.co/YCUrsVMdWi

Jan 4, 2025 · 17 likes · 661 followers View post →
bioZone
@thebiozone · X

When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuring poppy the cat

Oct 6, 2022 · 9 likes · 5 shares · 186 followers View post →
Amin Azadian
@AminAzadian · X

Wow! Toxoplasma gondii that infects up to one-third of people around the world may have the ability to permanently alter a specific brain function in rodents! It can remove rodents’ innate fear of cats to increase its chance of being predated by cats!! https://t.co/k6owdjllVi https://t.co/2S1CJAhUA7

Jul 3, 2020 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 672 followers View post →
Klaus Mönkemüller, MD, PhD
@KMonkemuller · X

@JVG_GIMD Yes

Nov 26, 2022 · 2 likes · 14,239 followers View post →
TeeOh Raccoon
@teeoh.bsky.social · Bluesky

Kitty spores can affect wolves' behaviour?!

Nov 20, 2023 · 2 likes · 4 shares View post →
Klaus Mönkemüller, MD, PhD
@KMonkemuller · X

@MendozaLadd And studies have shown that

Nov 26, 2022 · 1 like · 14,239 followers View post →

All mentions

victor ᶜʳᶠ
@victhorms · X

@GeologicalSETI I believe they could hack us in many ways. Bruce, take a look at the case of fatal attraction in rats infected with toxoplasma gondii, that's pretty odd.

Sep 18, 2025 · 129 followers View post →
FurBearingMammal
@FurryVarmint · X

@BadMedicalTakes No, they don't change your sexual orientation. https://t.co/YCUrsVMdWi

Jan 4, 2025 · 17 likes · 661 followers View post →
Ranveer
@ranveer2252 · X

T gondii is a parasite which make rats fatally attracted to the cats https://t.co/MIJxvGafnD

Aug 22, 2024 · 1,272 followers View post →
Pratus Ansiursus (Βραδ Όσβορν)
@PratusAnsiursus · X

Will self-described "alpha male" human douche bags start eating used cat litter? https://t.co/FHlfq4xxIY

Nov 21, 2023 · 204 followers View post →
piccolo_sun
@SunPiccolo · X

The Parasite That Makes You King https://t.co/edGOasNSnd via @YouTube

Nov 20, 2023 · 31 followers View post →
BravoKitty411
@BravoKitty411 · X

The Parasite That Makes You King https://t.co/XYwGx5Cimb via @YouTube #scishow

Nov 20, 2023 · 36 followers View post →
kirsten houseknecht aka fabricdragon
@fabricdragon · X

The Parasite That Makes You King https://t.co/xK6NmMZWqI via @YouTube

Nov 20, 2023 · 3,963 followers View post →
TeeOh Raccoon
@teeoh.bsky.social · Bluesky

Kitty spores can affect wolves' behaviour?!

Nov 20, 2023 · 2 likes · 4 shares View post →
le engineer a la scoof
@kirilloid_ru · X

Волчары! Записываемся на сеанс инфицирования токсоплазмозом! (Подробности процесса читайте мелким шрифтом). https://t.co/KeswMIonmS

Nov 20, 2023 · 1 like · 151 followers View post →
kodiakbear
@kodiakbear1969 · X

SciShow https://t.co/vJcZh5Igij

Nov 20, 2023 · 99 followers View post →
LUCA Asociación de Estudiantes
@LUCAUjaen · X

3. Berdoy, M., Webster, J. P., & Macdonald, D. W. (2000). Fatal attraction in rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, 267(1452), 1591–1594. https://t.co/9tNN3IbGHT

Feb 6, 2023 · 555 followers View post →
LUCA Asociación de Estudiantes
@LUCAUjaen · X

Resulta que este parásito es capaz de alterar el comportamiento de los ratones. En un estudio, unos investigadores quisieron comprobar esto exponiendo a unos ratones infectados con T. gondii a varios tipos de olores. https://t.co/MhlSjGre7Y

Feb 6, 2023 · 555 followers View post →
☕Elwood Ochs
@ElwoodOchs · X

https://t.co/PcG3aBdkMq

Jan 24, 2023 · 365 followers View post →
Klaus Mönkemüller, MD, PhD
@KMonkemuller · X

@JVG_GIMD Yes

Nov 26, 2022 · 2 likes · 14,239 followers View post →
Klaus Mönkemüller, MD, PhD
@KMonkemuller · X

@MendozaLadd And studies have shown that

Nov 26, 2022 · 1 like · 14,239 followers View post →
Daniel of the Shire
@countrsignal · X

RT @thebiozone: When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuri…

Oct 6, 2022 · 5 shares · 760 followers View post →
Computational & Systems Biology at Pitt
@compbiopitt · X

RT @thebiozone: When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuring poppy the cat

Oct 6, 2022 · 552 followers View post →
Konstantinos Kyriakidis
@kokyriakidis · X

RT @thebiozone: When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuri…

Oct 6, 2022 · 5 shares · 411 followers View post →
CPCB
@CMUPittCompBio · X

RT @thebiozone: When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuri…

Oct 6, 2022 · 1 like · 5 shares · 772 followers View post →
April
@sciApril · X

RT @thebiozone: When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuri…

Oct 6, 2022 · 1 like · 5 shares · 618 followers View post →
bioZone
@thebiozone · X

When mice are infected with a parasite found in cat feces, their fear of cats turns into a fatal attraction video featuring poppy the cat

Oct 6, 2022 · 9 likes · 5 shares · 186 followers View post →
Gustavo Fernández, MS
@gustavoflembert · X

Fatal attraction in rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. https://t.co/IfqaGLhcQN

Jun 8, 2021 · 205 followers View post →
snorkel
@gasse02 · X

anyway if you wanna know more: 1. Fatal attraction in rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii https://t.co/2gQkh5duwD 2. Morbid attraction to leopard urine in Toxoplasma-infected chimpanzees https://t.co/MwVYAbi43U

Jan 15, 2021 · 1 like · 1,173 followers View post →
Dog Cognition SE
@DogCognitionSE · X

RT @AminAzadian: Wow! Toxoplasma gondii that infects up to one-third of people around the world may have the ability to permanently alter a…

Jul 3, 2020 · 2 shares · 7,018 followers View post →
Mahdi Dolatyari
@mahdidolatyari1 · X

RT @AminAzadian: Wow! Toxoplasma gondii that infects up to one-third of people around the world may have the ability to permanently alter a…

Jul 3, 2020 · 2 shares · 376 followers View post →
Amin Azadian
@AminAzadian · X

Wow! Toxoplasma gondii that infects up to one-third of people around the world may have the ability to permanently alter a specific brain function in rodents! It can remove rodents’ innate fear of cats to increase its chance of being predated by cats!! https://t.co/k6owdjllVi https://t.co/2S1CJAhUA7

Jul 3, 2020 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 672 followers View post →