Why Don't Zombies Try to Eat Animals?

Often in popular media, zombies are depicted as solely preying on humans, but what about other animals? This question has puzzled many fans of the genre, especially with shows like The Walking Dead. However, it's important to clarify that in the universe of The Walking Dead and its spin-offs, zombies do indeed consume animals. They have been seen consuming pigs, horses, and other livestock.

The Reality of Zombie Myths

It's essential to note that zombies, as creatures of the apocalypse, are purely fictional and can be shaped according to the narrative needs of the creators. As such, in some scenarios, they can consume pretty much anything, even something as unthinkable as sauerkraut. In the real world, where zombies exist only in the realm of imagination, they can be ascribed any behavior that serves the story.

Challenges in Consuming Animals

If we were to consider zombies eating animals, it presents a significant problem. Zombies would need to both catch and eat these animals. However, this requires both speed and strength, which can be challenging for decaying, slower-moving undead beings. Animals, whether feral or domesticated, are not passive targets and would present a formidable challenge for zombies.

The Impact on the Ecosystem

The consumption of animals by zombies would dramatically disrupt the natural ecosystem. This is because animals play crucial roles in the environment, particularly in controlling populations of vermin and providing food sources for other animals. A sudden influx of zombie scavengers could lead to catastrophic imbalances, possibly leading to an extinction event or a major ecological shift. This scenario is rarely featured in most zombie apocalypse stories, which tend to focus on human survival and societal collapse.

Certain Media Exceptions

There are a few notable exceptions where animals do play an integral part in zombie narratives. For instance, in the Resident Evil series, the T-virus has been known to transform animals into grotesque, aggressive creatures, such as dogs that have undergone aggressive mutations. These infections are not exclusive to humans, suggesting that the effects of the virus can extend to other species.

Addressing Plot Needs

Another reason why zombies are often portrayed as focusing only on humans could be the plot structure. Many stories involving zombies revolve around human societies and the efforts to survive. Integrating significant animal roles can complicate the narrative, as it would require additional character developments and storylines. These complexities can overshadow the main plot and dilute the focus on human characters.

Examples in Media

Consider the Dawn of the Dead remake, where a dog plays a minor but significant role. It is used to deliver food to a man in a gun store, and rather comically, the zombies barely notice its passage through the herd. Similarly, in Resident Evil 3, a crow flock attacks the bus, but it is quickly defeated, highlighting the creatures' inability to pose a significant threat to zombies.

These examples illustrate that in media where animals do interact with zombies, their roles are often limited to serving the narrative or comedic value, rather than posing a significant threat or changing the course of the story.

In conclusion, the reasons why zombies do not try to eat animals in most media are multifaceted, involving plot complexities, ecological disruptions, and the focus on human characters. However, these constraints do not diminish the imagination and creativity of zombie narratives, which can be adapted to fit various storylines and themes.