Over the past few years vampires and werewolves have risen to prominence in popular culture. The “Twilight” series alone has drawn interest to these creatures.

Recently, zombies have started to catch up in popularity by an abundance of new novels, films and video games.

O'Donnell

Zombies have starred in famous horror films. Features like “Night of the Living Dead” and “Dawn of the Dead” have managed to generate large cult followings. Audiences have enjoyed zombies for the level of fear they arise, but still take comfort that the the dead rising from the grave is a concept that sounds completely based in fantasy.

According to PLoS 0 Journal and onecare2.com scientists have discovered a species of fungus in Brazil that contains spores that are turning carpenter ants into real life zombies.

Soon after the ants are exposed to the fungi they lose all mind control. Some wander off on their own and display bizarre behavior and they run around with the fungus living in and on their bodies.

Eventually the ants will find a spot either on a leaf or to the side of a tree and die. After their demise the fungus spores are released from their bodies, further infecting other carpenter ants. (Source: The Guardian)

“Science Today” points out that there are four different types of fungus that have zombie mind-effecting chemicals. Human beings have been known to eat mushrooms that do. In China, some people have been using these fungi for many years thinking they have power to cure diseases.

While the zombie plague sweeps through the ant population, there are many humans going through life with no knowledge of the occurrence. If a fungus can rise so easily and transform simple carpenter ants into zombies, whose to say the human race are not close to meeting a force with similar capabilities. Who knows how it will come about or when it would happen. Perhaps, a zombie outbreak amongst humans shouldn’t be considered something that only happens in fantasies.

— Jordan O’Donnell