GoldH2O

Image taken during first foundation exploration of area-XXX. Tail of SCP-XXXX-3 can be seen circled.

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: All instances of SCP-XXXX are to be kept in their subterranean enclosure located within Area-XXX. If any instances of SCP-XXXX breach containment by digging through the walls of the area, all instances are to be temporarily relocated to one of three temporary containment units located within ten kilometers of the main containment area. These containment units are to be constructed from solely non-ferrous metals and alloys. As of protocols instated after incident XXXX.1, no firearms are to be used or stored in Area-XXX. All openings to caves in Area-XXX are to have a reinforced tungsten door installed.

No iron or iron-based objects are to be allowed into contact with SCP-XXXX instances, except when approved by level 4 personnel.

Any signs of SCP-XXXX bonding with personnel is to be reported immediately to the site director. See document XXXX-A for feeding instructions.

Description: SCP-XXXX consists of a species of anomalous, quadrupedal organisms. They do not directly resemble any known extant or extinct organisms, though their physical build is reptilian in nature. The largest known specimen grew to 6.3 meters in length, but individuals appear to grow throughout their life, with the limiting factor being the size of their living space. They have four feet, which allow them to climb rock and hang from the ceiling of caves. They are covered in small, diamond shaped scales which cover their whole body. Instead of a jaw, SCP-XXXX instances have three rows of teeth capable of rotating clockwise and counterclockwise independently at over 3000 RPM. This unique mouth appears to be used for digging into rock.

In all molecules where carbon atoms would normally be present in an organism, SCP-XXXX's molecules instead contain iron atoms. The chemical bonds the iron atoms form are impossible, and to date foundation scientists have not been able to reproduce the chemical bonds present in the bodies of SCP-XXXX instances. One of the few places where carbon atoms are present in SCP-XXXX instances is in steel formations on the teeth, apparently taking the place of enamel. A full description of the anatomy of SCP-XXXX is available in document XXXX-C

The state of the iron in the bodies of SCP-XXXX gives instances bizarre abilities. SCP-XXXX are able to fuse their bodies to any objects containing iron, gaining full control of the object in question. SCP-XXXX also have magnetic abilities, allowing them greater ease in climbing walls containing iron. They appear to have limited control of where their magnetic abilities are directed, primarily through their legs. SCP-XXXX have an internal body temperature of 67.2 degrees Celsius. Their scales have an anomalous heat-blocking property, however, making detection with infrared sensors impossible.

SCP-XXXX instances seem to have the relative intelligence of Sus scrofa, the domestic pig. Instances have been known to form bonds with personnel they spend large amounts of time with. While typically reluctant to engage with humans and occasionally aggressive, instances that have bonded with a human are typically calm around humans. The first case of an instance bonding with with an SCP-XXXX instance was Dr. █████ Watson, the scientist in charge of preliminary containment of the first SCP-XXXX instances and the current director of Site-XXX.

SCP-XXXX instances are highly social, and live in a family group. The social structure consists of a patriarch and matriarch, seemingly the oldest instances in the group. Instances are, however, monogamous, and will not select a new mate after pairing off. Though mating has not been directly observed, instances have been seen laying eggs. A female typically lays a clutch of two to four eggs once a year. SCP-XXXX appear to have about a 50% prenatal mortality rate, resulting in one to two offspring surviving to hatching. SCP-XXXX eggs are spherical in shape, and around 18 centimeters in diameter. They have a 47 day gestational period, after which the mother will continue to care for her offspring for four months. During this time, the mother releases a black liquid from an organ beneath her neck, which the juvenile instances eat. SCP-XXXX appear to have an average 20 year lifespan.

At this point in time, 37 SCP-XXXX instances are currently in Foundation containment. All instances are descendants of the original 6, and no other instances have been discovered.

Document XXXX-A

SCP-XXXX are omnivorous, and so must be fed a balanced diet of meat and plants. SCP-XXXX are not to be fed outside of these guidelines except when testing is permitted. Every three days, SCP-XXXX's food supply is to be refilled. This consists of:
1. 50 kilograms of specially-prepared vegetable mix, consisting of organic spinach, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. This is to be mixed with 5 kilograms of iron filings, and mashed. It is to be put into the feeding trough that has been installed in the main chamber of the cave system in Area-XXX.
2. 50 kilograms of raw beef, with bones. This is to be coated in iron filings before being placed into a second feeding trough, also in the main cave chamber.
3. The underground lake in cave system XXX is to be refilled with non chlorinated water when its water level drops below 5 feet. This does not have to be done often, as this lake is fed by a subterranean river.
4. This lake is also to be restocked with native cave fish every two weeks, in order to allow SCP-XXXX to hunt.
5. Assorted fruit may be used as incentives when training or testing SCP-XXXX instances. These fruits are only to be given by individuals listed on Document XXXX-B.

Note from Dr. Watson:
"Due to recent updates, all documents except Document XXXX-A are temporarily unavailable. We hope to have them back in the coming weeks. Also, per request of O5, major incident logs will also be kept with SCP-XXXX's file."