It is similar enough to the human roundworm parasite Trichuris trichiura to show immunological cross-reactivity,[1] and so is often used in related studies.

After establishing their place in the intestinal wall, the adult worms mate and release unembryonated eggs into the environment via the feces.

[3] Trichuris muris relies on direct contact with intestinal bacteria to promote hatching of the embryonated eggs.

Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and E. coli strains, the bacteria are seen to gather specifically around the opercula, which are located at the poles of the eggs.

The activation of type 2 helper cells (Th2) is decreased in the presence of antibiotics because fewer whipworms bind to the intestinal walls.