Zombie Research Society
Aficionados of classic zombie cinema have witnessed the scene numerous times; the severed limbs of the undead continue to attack even after being severed from the body! Most commonly this is the gnashing teeth of a relentlessly aggressive zombie… gnawing dangerously even after decapitation. But could such a situation actually happening during the inevitable zombie apocalypse?
The video embedded below of a deadly rattlesnake, originally filmed by one incredibly brave Santa Cruz resident and recently featured on National Geographic, may shed some light on why zombies continue to be a threat even after death or dismemberment.
When Santa Cruz homeowner Thomas Scott encountered such a deadly predator in his garage, he took defensive matters into his own hands. However, unlike mammals, reptile reflexes remain deadly after death. In fact, they can still bite and deliver a killing dose of venom up to an hour after being decapitated. And after Thomas delivered what he thought was a deadly blow, the snake’s head–severed from its body–continued to scan the area, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
While the phenomenon seems to be limited to reptiles, there’s simply no telling what effect a virus or plague could have on the deadly reflexes of the undead. Could the relentless attack of this rattlesnake explain how zombies continue to strike even after decapitation?
One thing is certain; whether it’s a zombie rattlesnake or the ferocious zombies of film and literature… the lethal venom, poison or pathogen carried by the recently deceased can still be transmitted even after death. A frightening concept indeed!
UPDATE: We’re experiencing problems with the video embedded below, please click here to watch the video via the National Geographic website. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I’ve had the same experience with a lizard. I was in Fiji frog hunting with the kid’s club and we found a lizard. A six year old took a nearby rake and cut off its tail. When we left, the tail was still flipping!