The eye of the zombie

ID: Zombie snail

An attempt to frame the interesting phenomena that these unfortunate snails undergo, essentially a parasite infested snail, where a form of parasitic flatworm infects the snail’s body, almost taking over the essential part of the snail’s body, i.e., the brain and controlling the whole body of it, almost making it roam around like a zombie. These larvae tend push the snail to unintended and unnatural locations, and with it pulsating itself near the eyelobe/upper tentacle, almost mimicking a caterpillar, making these snails easy target for birds or predators, so that the larva can get itself into the predator’s digestive system, to continue into the next phase of life.

EXIF:
Canon 80D
Canon 100mm macro
F/13
Shutterspeed 1/250
ISO 200
Handheld, external flash fired

Location: Thane

So this eye is actually the parasite? Very interesting behaviour observed and photographed. Good details. Thanks for sharing.

Very interesting observation. Where did you click it? Would love to hear more about its irrational movements. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi