Usually, although parasites harm their hosts, it is in the parasite's best interest not to kill the host, because it relies on the host's body and body functions, such as digestion or blood circulation, to live.
Do parasites always kill the host?
In contrast to typical predators, parasites do not always kill their hosts, and if they do, it may take a considerable amount of time, during which the parasite may be transmitted to other hosts, and the host remains in the community competing with other organisms for space, food, and mating partners.
Why can parasites not survive without their host?
Parasites live in other host organisms and depend on them for survival. Without a host, a parasite cannot live, grow, and multiply. For this reason, a parasite rarely kills its host, but it can spread diseases, some of which may be fatal.
Why do some parasites kill their hosts?
Many parasites, however, must kill their hosts to achieve transmission, and in these contexts selection by definition favours maximal virulence.
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