As of right now, there are three documented subspecies of infected: RCVP-1, RCVP-2 and RCA-X. There is also two cases of Infected, RC-P and RC-C.
Listed here is all information we can safely provide to the public for safety, trust and transparency.
EATING BEHAVIORS:
RCVP-1 and RCVP-2 are mesocarnivores while RCA-X are typically omnivores. Meat takes up 60% of their diet while also foraging for fruit, plants, and insects. Though in their original lives they may show things such as preferences, those are no longer seen post mortem - this phenomena has been aptly named "Lost taste" and may explain why in dire situations, infected will eat anything despite inherent nutritional value. However in spite of this, there is no documentation cannibalization, besides those with traits that predispose them to this behavior (such as mutations, lack of social interaction, etc.)
Though RCA-X and RCVP-2 shown to eat the same things as their counterpart, they are more likely to go after humans being the only subspecies of infected to have a preference of some kind.
SOCIALIZATION:
Despite what fear mongering may have you believe, RCVP-1 and RCVP-2 are very social entities that stick towards each other rather than hunting others inherently. They spend their days living in large groups which we have come to call called 'hoardes’. Unlike their sociable counterparts, RCA-X are typically solitary, and are more likely to hunt alone. Whether this is from some form of repressed anger, hunger or something else entirely in unknown, as most interactions with RCA-X have ended in either the casualty of the specimen or the operatives involved.
Though they have been seen to display a hive-mind behavior, (see study ████████), the entire horde makes the decisions instead of a dominant figure - showcasing an advanced level of socialization rather than simply following the one with the most strength, or acting on ones self-interest. Bickering however, may occur, as seen by some infected swatting others away while hunting for food if they’re in the way. In times of calm, some infected have been seen to play rudimentary games with each other (such as chasing or biting the other, akin to dogs or primates.) It is best for everyone’s collective safety to NOT get involved when this behavior occurs, as it can alert the entirety of the horde and lead to a dangerous situation.
In a shocking discovery, infected of all types have been seen to have very ritualistic cleaning habits. From cleaning each-other to looking into puddles of water (or other substances) to fix their hair (whatever may remain of it) they showcase clear examples of preening those that they seemingly affectionate of.
PHISIOLOGICAL:
Through study of a donated cadaver (done with the consent of an infected individual who donated their body for our research) and previous research from current Dead Zones, we have found many fascinating biological phenomena. As we’ve known from the early days of the infection, post mortem the Lazarus Effect occurs. The body becomes ridged and seizes, body gasping for air as the skin takes on a greenish tint (as of right now, it’s unknown why this happens. Though some scientists speculate that it may relate to hypochromic anemia in some way.) Those witnessing the initial resurrection stage have detailed how the person seemingly “Inhaling in agony” despite passing, the body mutating and creating adaptions which we have later detailed and discovered to be subtypes of the initial virus (listed earlier), an artistic rendering of said mutations will be shown below:
CREDIT: Madie e.████
Post resurrection depending on mutation, some infected may be completely nonverbal, while others act as if nothing happened at all. Any injuries sustained prior to infection are seemingly healed, though sometimes not to the peak performance they were at in their prior life. External wounds however, show no signs of healing. Amputated limbs have small instances of healing, but never return to their full functionality- despite this, infected of any mental capacity are shown to have extreme adaptation that occurs at a rapid rate. (This will be further addressed in the intelligence section.)
INTELLEGENCE:
Despite looking and acting braindead, RCVP-1 and RCVP-2 are unusually intelligent variants while the intelligence of RCA-X is still being studied (though this is extremely difficult due to their inherent isolation)
They have been documented using plant matter as bandages and underground nesting material as evidence by stains of grass on hands, feet and clothing residing on most if not all infected individuals. Evidence has also supported their inherent desire for survival, with foragers photographing infected raiding abandoned stores for food and potential shelter in more temperamental weather conditions.
[PHOTO NOT AVAILIABLE]
Though the hive-mind mentality may suggest a lack of independence, those infected are very capable of expressing their desires and disinterest in things with series of grunts or hissing sounds which our linguist has deducted as a sort of new language. Though inherently it is impossible to translate, learning the natural cadence and cues is imperative to those who wish to live outside registered safe zones.
DOCUMENT ON INFECTED “LANGUAGE”:
Growl that resides in the upper throat: Aggression, usually accompanied by the body hunching and snarling.
“Ch-Ch-Ch”: Playful, done by lifting the side of the mouth and chittering. Done after determining the other is not a threat
Back of the throat clicking: Curiosity, done while circling a prey or potential ally.
Stomping: A signal, human equivalent of asking someone to look a certain way.
Grunt: Usual greeting. Higher the pitch, more friendly it is.
Long Groan: Advanced communication, showcases either exasperation or showing something.
However, some infected are known to speak in their original language perfectly. These are classified as RCA-X’s. They are easily able to masquerade as humans. If these infected are seen, report them to your local authorities for ██████ ███ ██████ █████████
Along with communication, in rare situations where no humans are present infected are shown to choose a life partner are procreate. While scientists are not sure how this is even remotely possible, youthful infected have been seen wandering the streets as more safe zones have been established. “Parent” (RC-P) infected are an unofficial sub-typing protected by our organization for further study, as we are unsure of how exactly their minds work. “Child” (RC-C) infected have been observed to be born altricial (unable to care for ones self, and primarily blind), being cradled to the backs of their “Parents” for a safe mode of transport. In the rare event of a “Child” reaching maturity, they are seen to have a true connection towards their “Parent” years after reaching precociality, even if the “Parent” is nothing more than a corpse. It’s been observed if a “Parent” is killed, the “Child” will sit by their corpse until they expire.
However, it is common to see that orphaned “Children” get adopted by infected of a wandering horde rather than their eventual starvation. Homosexual adoption surprisingly has been recorded in extremely rare cases, though we are unsure exactly the extent of this.This can happen with a singular “Parent” as well. As of right now we theorize this is to make sure the species continues its projected growth pattern, rather than an intrinsic desire to protect the “Child”.