# Do Viruses Have Predators?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-have-predators/500268>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 19, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-have-predators/500268 "2009-06-19T03:48:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/13edae/32.png) [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-have-predators/500268/1 "2009-06-19T03:48:20Z")

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Google has been unhelpful. By predation I’m talking the use of the virus’ material components for some biological function.

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**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-have-predators/500268/2 "2009-06-19T04:20:06Z")

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[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3348952/Viruses-can-catch-colds-says-study-that-redefines-life-itself.html](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/3348952/Viruses-can-catch-colds-says-study-that-redefines-life-itself.html)

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**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-have-predators/500268/3 "2009-06-19T05:30:16Z")

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seems so… google “virophage”

eg Sputnik Virophage

> **[Virophage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virophage)**
>
> Virophages are small, double-stranded DNA viral phages that require the co-infection of another virus. The co-infecting viruses are typically giant viruses. Virophages rely on the viral replication factory of the co-infecting giant virus for their own replication. One of the characteristics of virophages is that they have a parasitic relationship with the co-infecting virus. Their dependence upon the giant virus for replication often results in the deactivation of the giant viruses. The virophage...