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Protection from the Undead

Our team has been working to train people for the coming Zombie Apocalypse through tools and tips learned in their various fields of expertise. We expect to give you the same tools and training to ensure your one of the survivors, and not part of the undead plague. By keeping up to date on the latest literature, tools, and training we plan to show you how to stay healthy and avoid becoming one of the undead horde that will pillage humanity. So check back with us on a regular basis to ensure you are prepared to survive the Zombie Apocalypse

Nano-Zombies: An Unexpected Problem

Posted by mercutiom On October - 26 - 2009

The Nano-Zombie

Threat Level:  Red

It is believed that the Nano-Zombie was created accidentally when researchers were working with microscopic robots (also called Nanites, Nanobots, Nannies, etc.) in an attempt to extend the human life span.  Rumor has it that the initial trials used Rhesus monkeys as test subjects and that one of these creatures was the first to be infected by the malfunctioning robots.

After it’s initial death it reanimated during the autopsy researchers performed as part of the procedure for the experimental trial they were running.  The reanimated monkey bit the researcher transmitting the microscopic bots along the chain.  Unfortunately there is little information on who the researcher was or where the trials were taken place.  Nothing is known regarding the termination of the monkey (if it was terminated) or when the researcher became a zombie.

Also unknown is what type of research the team was investigating other than it was a life extension procedure.  It is possible that they were attempting to cure a disease (cancer and Alzheimer’s are often mentioned as possibilities) or if they simply wanted to extend a healthy humans life.  Either way the team performed its results admirably though with an extreme and unfortunate side-effect.

Identification

It is difficult to tell a Nano-Zombie from a human being.  One positive side effect of the nanite infestation is that, unlike other types of zombie, the flesh does not rot.  If anything the robots make the former human’s body healthier and more robust.  One must keep this in mind as, again unlike other zombie types, the nano-zombie will heal when harmed.

This healing ability is actually a way for you to identify the nano-zombie.  Unlike a living human, the nano-zombie does not bleed when wounded, rather a black tar-like substance (believed to be a mass of the microscopic robots) congeals around the would until it is healed.  The coagulate mass stands out significantly from the wound creating a bulging mass that is surprisingly shiny in appearance, much like a piece of plastic or polished black metal.

Another significant way to tell if you’re dealing with a nano-zombie will be their clothing.  Since the nanites continuously repair the body, the clothing never has to be changed (not that any known zombie type ever changes clothing.)  So clothes will become tattered, torn, and dirty over time.  If you see a healthy looking person walking around in a dirt encrusted suit and tie with a blank stare their probably a nano-zombie.

The last identifying detail is, of course, their desire for human flesh.  It is assumed that because the nannies were created to use the human body as a building material, that they require the infected former human to consume more flesh to repair themselves and the inhabited body.

Spread

Nano-zombies spread their infection to others in the normal way, by biting.  Robots inhabiting the mouth and saliva are transmitted to the bloodstream of the bitten and over a considerably short amount of time (10-20 minutes) move to the brain and kill their new host.  After another slightly longer period (2-4 hours) they reanimate the body after taking over all brain functions.

Spread of this type of zombie is almost guaranteed.  Since the host is no longer alive, its normal defenses against nature and damage cease to function.  In their stead the nanobots do the work of repairing the normal wear and tear a human body goes through in a day, including the removal of fatigue poisons and other bodily functions that cause a normal human to need sleep.  Yes, nano-zombies do not need sleep.

Additionally, a nano-zombie, or a group of nano-zombies, rarely consume the entire body of their victims.  As long and the brain goes uneaten the newly infected host will attempt to consume any nearby human in order to rebuild itself.  There have even been reports of improperly terminated nano-zombies reanimating after their bots consumed the flesh of others they were piled with.

One specific report tells of an instance where a victim was consumed to the point where only the head and upper skeleton were left uneaten.  Only able to bite at potential victims and other zombies it was somehow able to gather enough flesh that the entire body was rebuilt.

Termination

The only guaranteed ways to terminate a nano-zombie are through fire and acid.  While a head shot will stop it functioning for a long period, usually several hours or even a few days, it will not guarantee destruction.  Presumably the nanites rebuild the brain and depending on the level of destruction this may take awhile.  This is the reason for the Red Threat Level classification.

Once you have taken down a nano-zombie, either with the suggested head shot or through decapitation, it is essential that you destroy the body and brain completely.  Fires should be made as hot as possible, thermite it strongly recommended.  Acid tubs, if available are also a good way to ensure complete destruction.

Summary

There isn’t much to say in summary here.  If you come across a nano-zombie then do everything you can to terminate it.  If fire and acid aren’t an option, then run.  Run fast and run far, and get someplace you can protect indefinitely.  In other words, good luck.

Photo Credits:  St. Stev, TheAlieness GiselaGiardino23

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4 Responses so far
  1. Zombies Can't Run | U.S. Zombie Tactical Squad Said,

    [...] second type is the Nano-Zombie.  These do take damage, but as we discussed in that article the nanites constantly work to repair [...]

    Posted on November 5th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

  2. Zombieland Rule 12: Bounty Paper Towels | U.S. Zombie Tactical Squad Said,

    [...] or acid (though fire is usually easier to come by.)  This prevents possible reanimations (i.e., Nano-Zombies) and ensures that any diseases that the zombie’s flesh, including the ones that made them a [...]

    Posted on November 11th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

  3. spy679 Said,

    wouldn’t these zombos be able to work together through wifi?Resulting in a smart cordnated zombie attack?

    Posted on August 6th, 2010 at 12:14 am

  4. mercutiom Said,

    That isn’t something we previously considered, but yes, I suppose they would be able to use WiFi, or some other broadband connection to communicate. The only defense I can forsee for that would be a coordinated EMP attack on the infected area. That would reduce that area back to the 17th century as far as the technology available, but then, a zombie outbreak of any sort would likely result in the same thing.

    Posted on September 23rd, 2010 at 11:11 am

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There seems to be a great deal of confusion on whether or not zombies will attack animals, and if they do, will those animals become infected, simply die, or go on with their lives. As this video shows, some types of zombies will indeed attack animals that enter their vicinity, but this is not always the case.

Some types of zombies will indeed attack an animal, though those same types will typically attack any warm or moving object.  Some types of zombies will only attack certain types of animals (e.g., mammals but not lizards,) and some types of zombies will only go after a human being.

To make this a little more straightforward we have come up with the following lists to help you in knowing whether or not your family pets are safe.

Zombies that Will Attack Animals:

Zombies that Will Only Attack Humans

To understand how to identify each type of zombie, please click on the links above and review the various articles.  This will advise you on how to identify your zombies, and find out whether they are a threat to only you, or if you need to protect your pets as well.

One important item to note when reviewing the articles, not all zombie types can be spread to your animals.  So while you may want to protect Spot from being eaten, if he does get bitten, you do not necessarily need to put him out of his misery.

If your pet/horse/cow/sheep does receive a bite, and you are unsure what type of zombie you have encountered, the safest option is to put the animal down.  We understand that this is difficult (nigh on impossible for some.)  We are pet owners and animal lovers ourselves, and to have to put down your own animal is one of the most difficult decisions one can make, even if it isn’t due to an infected bite from a zombie.

That said, the infected pet is no longer the loving, caring creature you have shared time and adventures with.  If not now, then soon it will turn into a vicious, ravenous creature with only your death in mind.

If you cannot bring yourself to put your pet down, and you have not been able to identify the type of zombie bite it has received, you have two options.

  1. Have an acquaintance do the dirty work for you.  Do NOT let a friend do it.  It will ruin your relationship completely.  You will always question your decision, and if a friend has to put down your beloved pet, you will forever look at them with that question, and that anger.  Make sure the person you ask is someone you either don’t like, or don’t have a close connection with.  It will change your relationship with them as well, but it’s less likely to ruin a friendship.  Ironically, it may even lead to a stronger connection with that person.
  2. Lock the possibly infected animal up and monitor it over the course of several days.  An infection that can spread to an animal will show its signs within 72-120 hours (three to five days.)  If your pet is still its same old self after that time, you can consider yourself reasonably safe and release them.

NOTE: We cannot stress enough how dangerous, and frankly stupid this option is.  Primarily, keeping a potentially infected animal locked up for up to a week can cause issues of its own.  What if you have to move because of a coming horde?  What about the animals natural biological processes and the necessary cleanup?  Where can you keep a horse locked up that where you can guarantee it won’t escape, break free, etc.?

Additionally, there is no guarantee that even after five, ten, or even 100 days that your pet is guaranteed infection free.  All creatures have different resistances to infections.  Your chihuahua may be naturally immune to the zombie bacteria, but can still pass it on if he bites you.  The only way to guarantee your safety from your pet is to put it down, no matter how difficult the decision.

To be blunt, it’s you or them.  In a war against the zombification of all humanity your pet may become collateral damage.  It’s sad, it’s difficult to come to terms with, it’s your only guarantee for safety.

In the war against zombies, animals are often caught in the middle.  Many people are forced to abandon their pets when they go on the run.  Even more are turned and have no recollection of their family and friends, much less their pets.

While some animals are trained to help humanity against the zombie threats, many are left to fend for themselves and have been known to become a danger in themselves.  Feral packs of both dogs, cats, and even escaped zoo animals have been known to roam urban wastelands after an outbreak.

For these reasons, we recommend that if you are a pet owner and you realize that an outbreak is occurring, please do something about your pets.  They will not likely be able to make it through the outbreak alive, and may even become a danger to you and your survival group.  We know it’s difficult, but it may become necessary.

Video Credit:  VideoSlave

Zombies Versus Animals

Posted by mercutiom