Porocephalus crotali is a parasitic crustacean from the group Pentastomida, also known as tongue worms.

The process from swallowing the egg to complete entry into the host takes about an hour.

After reaching the duodenal mucosa, the larvae migrate to the abdominal cavity, where they spend about a week until they are encapsulated in the host tissue.

Over a three-month period, the parasite molts five additional times, increasing in size and developing segmentation.

Upon completing the sixth molt, the nymphs become encapsulated and enter a dormant state.