SpectreNephilim
rating: 0+x

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be kept in 5m x 5m x 1m acrylic terrarium, within a 6m x 6m x 2.5m steel room. Containment area must be installed with an irrigation system capable of simulating the rain patterns of Zambia, as well as a drainage system to prevent flooding. Materials used for containment provide a smooth/slick surface to prevent any organisms from escaping. No more than two Level 2 personnel are to be stationed outside the entrance to containment area. No less than 4 walk throughs per day must be performed to ensure containment breach has not occurred and to take count of number of SCP-XXXX instances. Access is restricted to research, maintenance, and feeding purposes only.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a mushroom that has branched off from the Termitomyces titanicus fungus.1

SCP-XXXX resembles the titanicus genus, with differences being (at a glance) coloration. Grey to Black with symmetrical red spots dotting the cap. Upon closer inspection, the stipe is in fact its stomach which is coated with sap.2 Research has shown that it camouflages itself as a normal mushroom when it senses danger or is trying to attract prey. When threaten, the cap will emit a noxious odor to ward off danger. When trying to attract prey, SCP-XXXX will emit a sweet aroma3 that entices the would be meal. Once the prey is sufficiently stuck in the sap, SCP-XXXX's stomach retracts and is closed off by the numerous keratin teeth that line the edge of the inner wall. These teeth have been observed being used to eat away at rotting plant matter and animal corpses. The organism stays immobile until all organic matter is fully digested. Researchers agree that the ability SCP-XXXX has to distinguish between prey and foe shows some level of sentience. Other than acting as a stipe, the stomach serves as a foot by lifting and leaning in the desired direction, retracting, and repeating. Movement onto different planes, i.e. logs, plants, etc., is assisted by setules45 that line the outer ring of the bottom of the cap. However, the number of setules present on the organism is not great enough to compensate for its weight, making it impossible for the organism to climb smooth vertical surfaces.

The symmetrical red spots appear to serve as optical sensory organs, though dissecting has shown no known central nervous system. Research is still ongoing at this time.

Addendum: One of the more interesting facts about XXXX is its capability to take on the flavor and consistency of what ever it eats. A request to harvest excess instances as a food source instead of incinerating them is currently pending.