Can Zombies Survive Extreme Cold?

by Richard
(Troy, New Hampshire)

Dear Zombie Master,

I live in a small town in NH about 20 minutes from the Mass border. It gets very cold in the winter up here and I was wondering if it was too cold for a zombie to survive? In most of the movies I've watched they never showed a zombie attack up north... well none that I can remember at least.

I watched 'I Am Legend' which I know is a non- zombie movie, but they said they could not survive in VT which is right next to NH, as I'm sure you know. I just wonder if their bodies would freeze up or something... Even though I don't think it would get that cold in NH.

Also, in most zombie movies more and more zombies come to wherever you are no matter what. I'm not sure if they smell you (because what if they have no nose), or if they talk to each other or what, they just find you. So would you say it would be better to stay in one spot and hope to wait it out or do like they they did in 'Resident Evil' and always be on the move avoiding big cities. Or, should I haul ass to the nearest military base.

I read in one of your post that you're going to hide out in the woods and be a hunter/gather but if zombies keep showing up do you think you will eventually be overtaken?

one last question what do you think WILL cause the zombie outbreak? human made virus? radiation? or other?


Richard,
Troy New Hampshire

Richard,

I will take these one at a time because they are all very important survival questions.

1) The account from Max Brooks' excellent novel "World War Z" demonstrates very well the fact that a frozen zombie will thaw out and start it's search for living flesh again. I would take the opportunity to take out as many frozen zombies as possible.

2) Most zombies will stay in the areas that they know and are used to (i.e. malls, rural areas, military bases, etc.). They will follow noises in hopes of finding food. Me personally, I have a cabin in the mountains that sits on a plateau with overlooks on all sides. Motion sensors, closed circuit cameras and well hidden claymores are placed all around the facility and range from 20' to 500 yards from center. All tied to a security network that is connected to a 3x redundancy and backup generators. It is well stocked with all of the necessities (i.e. food, ammo, adult beverages, etc.). I believe that the only thing I will have to watch out for will be followers but I have some booby traps that should take care of them.

3) I believe in the ability of the human species to royally screw things up in the name of bettering ourselves so I tend to think that the zombie apocalypse will be caused by a major scientific "oops". Whether it will be the fault of the scientific community, the military community of the private sector is unknown but I will place bets on the fact that it will be man-made and it will have been intended for the "greater good of society".

Good hunting and aim high,

The Zombie Master