CanadianTiger
Posts : 48
Join date : 2012-06-19
Age : 28
Location : Canada
 |  Subject: ~Animals ~  Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:38 pm | |
| Animals Humans have used animals to their advantage since pre-historical times. With much of society and technology not working, here is a list of animals, and ways they might be able to help survivors. It is possible that animals could be prone to infections. If the source of the infection is unknown you should be careful when trying many kinds of meat or animal companions. Many mammals are able to get rabies that is one candidate for mutating into zombie virus (Quarantine, Quarantine 2). Many cloven-hoofed animals (sheep, cows) can get mad cow disease which is also candidate for zombie disease (Zombieland). Other animals can also be the source. Another thread should be noted that many diseases can infect animals without affecting them making them carriers. And they are also prone to other diseases that might kill humans. Animals can still be hunted or tamed as food source. Don't kill too many edible ones at the same time or they could end up going extinct. Food and fur- Spoiler:
Although most animals can be used as a food source, many animals have been specially domesticated for that purpose. Also, most skin can be used for leather-making, but many animals produce wool, which has the advantage of being able to be sheared year after year, and is excellent for clothes.
Alpaca
This smaller cousin of the Llama cannot be used as a beast-of-burden. It serves purpose similar to sheep. Its wool is excellent for cloth making.
Chicken
Very good at producing food. It gives both meat and eggs and eats not much more than it produces. Also it is small and can be easier to travel with than larger animals. The male can annoy you but might also help you to get up in the morning. It is also possible that their feathers could be used for clothes.
Cow
May be used for their meat or their milk. It should be noticed that they can be infected with mad cow disease which is one of the candidates for mutating into a zombie disease. They also eat a lot more than they produce, which can be a problem if you are keeping any other farm animals, or are running short on feed. They also drink a lot, which can also be a problem if drinkable water is in short supply. Their skin is good to make leather which can be used in clothing, or protective gear.
Goat
The goat can serve the most purposes of a cow, providing milk, meat and leather, but is smaller so it needs less food.
Pig
Pigs have been domesticated for a long time. They can be fed on leftovers of many kinds and make an excellent food source, not to mention they are rugged, tough animals which can take different seasons well.
Sheep
It is a good source of both meat and wool. Wool is also excellent for clothes, it's warm, even if soaking wet, does not burn easily, and more.
Honeybee
Honeybees could be kept to keep for honey and beeswax. One must wear a bee suit around them, and never let someone allergic around the holding area. Use smoke to calm them down, but never use eugenal oils, the tree's natural defense against insects, or bug sprays.
Hunting partners- Spoiler:
Humans have tamed lot of animals to help them with hunting. Their purpose can be anything from finding prey to bringing it back to you, or simply hunt for you.
Dog
Dogs have followed human even longer than cats, descendants of the wolves. The joined the early humans as hunting partners and have been bred and trained for multiple purposes. They can be used in any purpose in hunting. Also you can train it to alert you of approaching threat, which is valuable in any scenario. They can also been taught tricks, which although not always having practical use, can be very entertaining. The more aggressive breeds such as Pit Bulls and Bull Dogs may be used to fight raiders, not to mention their barking can alert to the presence of nearby raiders, and Zombies.
Wolves
Wolves in the wild will avoid humans. In rare cases human can earn the respect and membership in a wolf pack, but those are mostly wolf experts or children that have grown up with them. Also it can be possible to tame them up to some level. If you manage to do that, don't expect the same obedience of a dog. Dogs have been specially bred and trained for centuries. Their purpose would only be as hunting partners. Coyotes may be used just as wolves.
Eagles
Golden eagles have been used for hunting animals in middle Asia. Although they can be excellent hunters do to great sight, flying skills and more, they are extremely hard to train, and eagle training is a life profession.
Falcons and hawks
Falconry has been a hunting art since medieval times. It is still practiced across the world. Still, it is both hard to learn, and it is hard to get a trained falcon, and even harder to train a wild one. An idea of co-existence between humans and falcons in zombie-infested world, falcons could be living in high places inside fortresses, where they would hunt other birds that plague crops.
Bears
Being both large and strong animal, some may be tempted to train bears for hunting or fighting. That is not advised. Bears are often aggressive if you look like you pose as a threat or food, both which many taming techniques might pose you as. Tamed bears are normally trained from birth or young age, for circus tricks like dancing and more. That has been banned as abuse of animals. Trying to control the aggression of a bear is impossible. So the best advice is to simply stay away from bears.
Lynx
A Lynx may be used as the more cunning and stealthy killer of small animals. They are more sharing than bobcats but less likely to catch something because they are so noisy. They may be raised from birth or in a special occasion when the hunter had found one injured and nursed it back to health; it may grow a liking to the hunter.
Crows
Crows have been the hunting partner of wolves for centuries, informing them about nearby injured prey. Crows are very intelligent and can be tamed by skilled bird owners, it is advised to keep a male and a female since the birds might else way become depressed.
Other- Spoiler:
Many other animals can be put to practical use
Cats
Cats came to humans when they started farm and staying in one place. Searching for the basic needs of shelter and food, they found both with primitive farmers. Cats have helped humans for millenia by keeping food storages and sources safe from rats, mice, small birds and other small animals. In the modern world with rat poisons and traps, cats are now mostly household pets. In zombie-infested world both can be very useful. Cats are known to affect human behavior for the better.
Pigeons
Homing pigeons have been used for a long time to send messages. Their nature to find their way home over large distances makes them excellent mail carriers. Some pigeons even got medals in WWII for their service. If you are traveling long way from your base they can be used to send news or reports home. It should be noted that those messages can only be sent one way.
Canary
Canaries were used in coalmines for a long time, as a gas detector. If it stopped singing, the miners knew that here was gas, and if it dropped dead that they needed to get out of there as fast as possible. If needed to travel underground or building a base in a cave, canaries are must. Their song also has calming effects on people.
Medical Helpers- Spoiler:
Leeches
Leeches could be used in the case of swelling or blood clots near the surface. They are commonly used as so, and are a lot more effective at it than ticks. It is possible that they may even be able to drain the virus out of a survivor.
Scorpions
Dead scorpions, along with slices of ginger, are placed on the faces of people to cure face paralysis. It didn't work 100% of the time but worked occasionally, and may work in the event of an infection.
Pets- Spoiler:
Many animals are domesticated, or have now do to adavancements in technology, simply to provide companionship to humans. Popular modern day pets are, for example cats, dogs, fishes and more. Also are many exotic animals sold as pets, like snakes, spiders and more. Those animals may or may not serve some direct purpose toward your survival but you should never underestimate the morale boost an pet will provide.
Mutualism- Spoiler:
Many wild animals can be helpful to humans without being domesticated or hunted. Spooked animals may indicate zombies or raiders. There are more examples of mutualism (an co-existence which both gain profit from) between animals and humans.
Honeyguides
These African birds feed on bee wax and larva but cannot get to it in the beehives. Because of that they will first find beehives and then lead animals (like humans) to them. If you know how to kill the bees with smoke, this can give you valuable food on the African savannahs. Just remember to leave the wax and some larva for the bird, as local folklore says that if you don't he will next time lead you to a lion's den.
Vultures
One of the more unfamiliar, and to many probably uncomfortable example of mutualism. In the remote mountain areas of Tibet and Nepal, which are to high for fire to burn due to thin air, vultures have been used in some societies to dispose the dead. That way of disposal is impractical everywhere else as burning or burying the body is easier (and more comfortable to loved ones) then chopping it and feed the vultures.
Domesticating wild animals- Spoiler:
All animals mentioned above are descendants of once wild animals, domesticated by humans. So you might wonder about domesticating, either wild relatives of domesticated animals or simply animals with traits you think you need. Knowledge about the animal in question is a must. Not all animals can be domesticated and you should study the animal to find out if it is likely to be domesticated. Pack animals and animals that can co-exist with humans are often more likely. Watch the animals and try to find some individual which seems friendly towards humans. Then you can either capture it for further training or give it food regularly until it trusts you and can follow you home. Any taming experience is invaluable when trying to domesticate animal. Don't expect animals to instantly trust you only because you saved their life. Also, don't expect to gain clear "master-servant" connection to the animal. Such trust from the animals' requires centuries of selective breeding. In a few cases you may run into an animal that has a disease that makes them forget their instincts, those may be helpful as pets, but not much else.
Approaching wild animals- Spoiler:
When traveling, longer or shorter ways, you will likely see wild animals. Even in urban environments, they will probably seek shelter and food. Most of animals avoid humans but some may consider you a threat needed to be dealt with or a prey. Here are some general advice which can help you survive those encounters, even without a weapon. - If approached by a large predator, like a bear or large feline, never show fear. Don't look like it might consider you a prey. Try to look big and give the expression that if it attacks you, you are dangerous. Still try not to make yourself look like you are going to attack it. Simply look like neither threat nor prey. NEVER RUN. If you have seen wolves or large felines hunting you know that they hunt the ones that run, and you are not and will never be as fast or agile as those animals.
- Many animals will protect their young with fierce. Never get in between them.
- Just because an animal doesn't run from you it doesn't mean that its friendly and you can pet it. Simply walk past it and be ready if it decides you are a threat.
- It is not certain if animals will know the difference between a human and a zombie. That might cause problem, making them more aggressive or more spooked. Although it is unlikely because they can smell the difference.
- Never get in the way of running/spooked herd of animals (like bison or wildebeast). They will not notice when they run over you.
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