The Undead seem to be walking about everywhere these days, from TV to movies to video games and more. The term 'Zombie' dates to about the early 19th century, and was linked to its current general definition around 1929. Since then, zombies have been redefined, humanized, and even romanticized. But they’re not necessarily unique. Animals exhibiting zombie-like behaviors have been on the planet for a long time. In Nature, it’s usually the result of a parasite controlling its host, as we’ll find out. For some of these creatures, the zombie apocalypse has already arrived, and isn’t ending any time soon. Here are 12 zombie creatures that really exist! Subscribe to Epic Wildlife
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#5 Toxoplasma Gondii (Gone-dee-eye)
While this parasite uses zombie-like rodents to achieve its ends, it also receives the unwitting help of cats. That's because cats are the only known hosts that are conducive to the parasite's reproduction. To get at the felines, it first infects mice and alters their behavior. Instead of fearing cats, the mice are emboldened to approach their natural predator. That increases the odds of the rodent being eaten, which is just what the parasite intends. Once there's it there, it can pose a potential threat to humans. Not that it will zombie-fy you like it does mice. But humans can be exposed to the parasite while cleaning the cat's litter box, which can result in the disease Toxoplasmosis, which causes flu-like symptoms. But experts also think that such exposure could result in altered feelings and behavior, which might include schizophrenia. Did you know that up to fifty percent of the global population is estimated to have been exposed to this parasite?
#4 Zombie Ants
One of the better-known cases of animal zombies involves a parasitic fungus that’s found in the rainforests of Thailand. This organism targets a certain species of carpenter ant and turns them into unwilling automatons. After the ants consume the fungus, their behavior undergoes a drastic change. They no longer interact with their fellow ants, and will wander about aimlessly until they tumble to the ground from the forest canopy. At this point they have only one reason to exist. And that’s to help their fungus master reproduce. Upon arrival at the lower level, they’ve reached a cool and moist environment where fungus can thrive. The insects will continue wandering about until they reach a prime location where the fungus can reproduce. After that’s accomplished, the ant’s head ruptures and it expires. But that’s part of the reproductive process. The spores that erupt from the insect’s noggin will easily be contracted by a new set of ant-victims. Experts say that the hyperparasite has wiped out entire ant colonies. But there’s some good news for the ants, as you’ll find out next!
#3 Anti-Zombie Fungus Fungus
So as we just learned, things look gloomy for those infected carpenter ants. But researchers have found that the insects have a way of fighting back. When a colony member becomes infected, other ants can sense the change. So they’ll lead the infected victim far away so it can’t infect others. Also, it turns out that the ant’s parasite has its own fungal parasite. The ants groom themselves with that hyperparasite. In return, the organism can stop the spread of infectious spores and limit fatalities within the ant colony.
#2 Zombie Roaches
You might walk your dog, but there’s a species of parasitic wasp that is known to walk their cockroach. That’s why this animal is also called the Emerald Cockroach Wasp. The females of this species are known to sting a cockroach, delivering venom into the specific parts of the victim that paralyzes its front legs. A second sting is delivered into the victim’s head, which cancels its instinct to escape. The wasp uses the antenna of the subdued cockroach as a leash, and pulls it back to the burrow. Once there, it lays an egg on the roach’s abdomen. When it hatches, the larva consumes the host’s internal organs. In the best horror-movie fashion, the roach is still alive during the process. The parasite then constructs a cocoon around itself while inside the roach’s body, and that mercifully kills the host. Does all that make you more sympathetic to cockroaches? Let us know in the comments!
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