Professor Sunshine

Item#: XXXX

Level#2

Containment Class:

pending

Secondary Class:

none

Disruption Class:

dark

Risk Class:

caution

link to memo

SCP-XXXX

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX may not be handled by any personnel without specialized training and protective attire (hard hat, leather gloves, eyewear). Personnel envenomated by SCP-XXXX are to report to Medical for first aid and antihistamine treatment if necessary. Personnel found mishandling or overstressing SCP-XXXX will be reprimanded and transferred to another department.

SCP-XXXX is housed in provisional Site-302, an aviary built to emulate its natural habitat. SCP-XXXX is to be fed one live pidgeon at 9:00pm and 3:00am daily. The containment area is to be cleaned of waste matter every Wednesday.

"Smoking Prohibited" signs in and around Provisional Site-302 should be kept clean to prevent possible misidentification with SCP-XXXX.

Updated Containment Procedures SCP-XXXX-B instances are not to be handled by any personnel until further notice. Live cockroaches are to be released into the enclosure periodically until further notice. When SCP-XXXX-B instances begin climbing the walls their diet is to be changed to live pigeons.

No "Smoking Prohibited" signs of any kind are allowed in or around Provisional Site-302 until further notice.

Description: SCP-XXXX is an organometallic arthropod discovered in Tucson, Arizona, USA. The specimen's exoskeleton measures 45 cm long, 30 cm in wide, 15 mm thick and appears remarkably similar to a heavily sun-damaged Arizonan “Smoking Prohibited” sign. Genetic analysis is inconclusive but indicates SCP-XXXX belongs to the order Scolopendromorpha (centipede).

SCP-XXXX is a nocturnal predator and feeds primarily on birds and bats. During the day, SCP-XXXX affixes itself to the southern wall of the enclosure using 4 suction-cup like appendages and remains motionless to avoid detection. During this time it will sleep and occasionally groom itself. Update SCP-XXXX-A also uses this time to protect and care for its offspring. (See Addendum)

At night, SCP-XXXX will become active and climb to a higher point on the enclosure wall to scan for flying prey. When SCP-XXXX detects a prey item within range, it will detach from the wall in such a way as to rotate rapidly; this technique allows the specimen to create enough angular momentum to generate lift similar to a frisbee. SCP-XXXX will fly toward the prey item to intersect it mid-flight and inject it with venom (Footnote: The venom of SCP-XXXX is similar in composition and toxicity to common centipede venom). Once the two impact the ground, SCP-XXXX will consume the prey item. SCP-XXXX has been observed flying 112km/h and can cover a distance of 280m.

Recovery Log SCP-XXXX first came to the Foundation's attention in November of 2014 after reports were received of a woman admitted to hospital screaming incoherently about being “bitten by a sign”. The woman reported she was frustrated with the "fucked up smoking sign" on the church's south wall and intended to replace it. She reportedly attempted to “unbolt” SCP-XXXX from the wall when she was struck. A mobile task force was deployed to investigate but found nothing of interest.

Another incident at the same church was reported under similar conditions as the first. A second investigation was conducted but no anomalous activity was detected in any of the area's signage.

A third investigation was conducted on 20XX/XX/XX after reports were received of Marcos Hernandez, age 7, being struck in the head by a “flying ‘No Smoking’ sign”. Mobile Task Force was deployed and discovered SCP-XXXX fleeing the scene of the incident; one agent was bitten bitten during recovery. All individuals involved were interviewed and subsequently treated with Class-B amnestics.
Hernandez died of his injuries on route to Site-302. Autopsy revealed no bite marks on the body. Researchers believe this incident was caused by SCP-XXXX failing to catch a prey item and intentionally collided with the victim to cushion its fall. This incident marks the only known instance of SCP-XXXX resulting in a human death.

Researchers now speculate the Mobile Task Force Units were previously unable to locate SCP-XXXX because it was hiding on the church's roof.
Notably, reports of UFO sightings in the Rita Ranch area have decreased by 44% since containment of SCP-XXXX was established.

Emergency Addendum-30 Jul 2021 23:04

+ Show Addendum- Access Restricted to Level-3 and above.

SCP-XXXX-2

SCP-XXXX has been exhibiting changes in behavior over the last couple hours. The specimen spent the morning high on the southern wall and refused to leave that spot while personnel were in the room, even when offered a pigeon and a bat.

A small drone equipped with a camera was deployed to safely investigate the habitat while SCP-XXXX was distracted with food. A hole in the wall was discovered, closer inspection uncovered a clutch of offspring. the number of which is unknown.

One visible instance appears very similar to it progenitor organism but the text on its shell is in Spanish. Another instance resembles a triangular "Hard Hat Required" sign. Most notably, one instance resembles the SCP-XXXX identification sign outside the enclosure; the text has been altered to classify SCP-XXXX as Euclid. The drone was then attacked by SCP-XXXX. Another drone is currently being prepared for deployment.

An investigation was conducted into any and all signage on the premises. Mobile Task Force agents discovered a second instance of SCP-XXXX attached to the far eastern wall of Provisional Site-302 without the Foundation's knowledge. (Image attached) Mobile Task Forces have been deployed across the entire Tucson area to contain any more instances.

These developments lead researchers to speculate SCP-XXXX is an anomalous species of wild centipede that are apparently very difficult to identify in the wild, even by trained Foundation agents. The object may exhibit an anti-memetic effect, possibly to deter predators like humans; more research needs to be conducted at this time. It is currently unknown how widespread these creatures are.