How do zombies Recognize That Another Is Not a zombie?

Zombie Master,

In a previous Zombie Master question someone asked why zombies don't eat each other. Your answer was pretty good, if we consider that zombies actually think.

So tell me, how do zombies distinguish a zombie from a non-zombie? If a normal person acts like a zombie will they think it is a real one or will they see right through it...and how?

Anonymous

I try not to make it a habit of answering "anonymous" requests but this does need a little clarification.

1. To say that a zombie cannot think is to say that any other instinctual animal cannot think. In researching the ecology of the "Romero class" of zombie, they do have some rudimentary thought capability although it is nothing more than on an instinctual level. Your "O'Bannon class" zombie even has the capability of speech, although it is mainly a repetition of the word "Braaaiiiinnnnsssss".

2. To further understand the ecology of the zombie you must compare them with the rest of the animal kingdom.

We humans can recognize our food and we even have grown beyond our instinct to be able to pick the foods that we like or dislike. However, when starving, we revert back to our instinct and the body begins to look for sustenance regardless of taste.

Lower level animals know instinctively not to eat there own. Has it ever happened? Yes. Is it the norm?
No.

The home variety of Goldfish is the dumbest fish on the face of the earth yet it still knows what to and what not to feed on.

That is a long winded way of saying that zombies can, and do distinguish themselves from the living (as witnessed in Dawn of the Dead when "flyboy" changed in the elevator and they immediately searched for food elsewhere) but only by instinct.

3. As far as the acting like a zombie question is concerned, I refer you to the "When in Rome" question and response.

4. BTW -- In the case of a zombie breakout, while some of you people will be trying to walk with the zombies, act like the zombies, and maybe even try to reason with the zombies, I will be the one on the well stocked roof top with "one shot, one kill" painted on the side saving your butts. (Sorry, they changed my meds and I am a little on edge.)

As always

Good hunting and aim high,

The Zombie Master