 Item Number SCP-968 Object Class Keter Special Containment Procedures SCP-968 is kept in the center of a large porcelain bowl with a steep curve. The bowl itself is made for transport, feeding, and removal of waste from SCP-968. It is lined with steel and braces designed to tip the bowl when needed. The bowl measures 7 meters across and 4 meters deep. While dormant SCP-968 should be kept in an enclosed environment, atmosphere at 3% humidity or less, between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius. To achieve a maximum state of submission, SCP-968 is to be fed between 50 and 80 kg of protein every 4 days. Cleanup of waste is achieved by tilting the bowl using the mechanical platform. SCP-968 would typically hold to one side of the bowl while waste slides down to the lowest point. A drip torch is used to ignite particulate waste and ash are removed by using blowers. Description Commonly known as the Tar Baby, SCP-968 appears as a black adhesive high viscosity oil. Current research explains SCP-968 is a colony of fibrous protozoa working together without any true structure, central nervous system, or endocrine system, despite observations of cellular coordination. In terms of the flexing properties of animal muscle, these fibrous protozoa are capable of pulling on one another with a combined strength. Specialized flagella along their surface is allowed for the gripping of prey and surfaces but without tendons, ligaments, or skeletal materials supported, SCP-968 is incapable of any significant locomotion. The colony hunts by mimicking the appearance of prey or a wounded animal that lure other predators to attack it. In the presence of humans, it is learned that mimicking the shape of an incapacitated infant or small child is the optimal lure for human beings. Once ensnared, prey often exasperates the situation by struggling against SCP-968, which serves only to compound the adhesion. The effect is much like quicksand. The exhausted prey is pulled either to a den or underwater to be drowned. SCP-968 pulls against its prey in opposite directions of both macroscopic and microscopic levels to mechanically dismember its prey until it is torn into small enough fragments to digest on a cellular level. Though SCP-968 is shown a heightened level of intelligence, SCP-968 appears to have a single-minded devotion to feeding and exhibits no other desires. Attempts to freeze SCP-968 for analysis have proven extremely hazardous. It conducts heat through friction and metabolism, keeping parts of itself from freezing. The frozen parts of SCP-968 provide a structure for its fibrous tendrils to act against, much like muscle on bone. It is advised not to continue freezing attempts, as SCP-968 may learn to use the bone structure of its prey to escape or attack Foundation personnel. Acquisition SCP researchers and task force Epsilon-9, aka fire eaters, were dispatched to the north central of Africa after an associated press reporter put several seconds of film onto the internet. In the video, an indigenous man was seen being pulled into a dark pool of water. The reporter was on location to investigate reports of locals being consumed by shadows. After considering known African folklore, it was believed that fire was the tool of choice to be used in suppression and containment. Though well-equipped and informed, Epsilon-4's had great trouble containing the entity that was to be later labeled SCP-968. Before the arrival of Epsilon-10, it became apparent that SCP-968 had established snares of itself across nearly two square kilometers of Savannah. By attaching itself to animals and allowing its prey to flee for nearly a kilometer in every direction, SCP-968 was capable of weaving a web of fine tendrils of trees, downholes, and across small bodies of water. While used in the future acquisition of prey, it proved to be a battlefield-level ambush for Epsilon. Fire has only a minimal effect on SCP-968. While it doesn't actually destroy it, enough heat causes the recoil and release whatever it has held fast to. Those of Epsilon-9 were at first reluctant on using their flame accelerators on team members that have been ensnared by SCP-968.