Clostridium tetani bacteria are solely anaerobic and use the process of fermentation to obtain nutrition. Specifically, for fermentation organic compounds, typically those abundantly found the gastrointestinal tract and resultantly the feces of animals. Using these organic compounds as an electron acceptor the bacteria ferment sugars for energy, as well as produce various alcohols and acids. Acetic and butyric acid, butanol and acetone, as well as H2 and CO2 are specific byproducts of this respective bacteria’s general fermentation. Certain strains of C. tetani produce different enzymes that are used to externally digest organic material in preparation for fermentation. Given the anaerobic nature C. tetani is primarily found in soil, manure, and intestinal tracts, which suits the method of nutrition aquisition.

Figure 2 is a map of the world detailing concentration of tetanus cases, statistically implying greater concentrations of C. tetani in the areas with a higher prevelance of tetanus. The darker the area the higher the quantity of tetanus cases.