What is a characteristic of a permanent parasite?

A permanent parasite is characterized by living its entire adult life within or on a host. This adaptation allows the parasite to exploit the host's resources for sustenance and reproduction. Such parasites are often specialized to thrive in the specific environment of their host, which might provide necessary nutrients and protection from external threats.

This characteristic distinguishes permanent parasites from temporary parasites, which only inhabit a host for a limited time, often to feed and then leave. The ability to complete their life cycle entirely within or on the host provides permanent parasites advantages in terms of survival and reproduction rates, as they remain in a consistent environment where they have evolved to thrive.

The behavior of migrating between multiple hosts is typically associated with temporary or intermediate parasites rather than permanent ones. Moreover, the notion that a parasite does not require a host for survival contradicts the definition of a parasite, as their survival hinges on a host for nutrition and reproduction. Thus, living its entire adult life on or in a host is the defining feature of a permanent parasite.