SCP-098 "Surgeon Crabs" object class safe
Item #: SCP-098
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: Members of SCP-098 are to be kept in a 10 m x 20 m room
with small pools of water and a sandy substrate. Rocks and driftwood are to be left in a random
arrangement for SCP-098 to nest in.
The enclosure is to be cleaned on a weekly basis. During this time, all members of SCP-098
are to be accounted for first, to prevent injury or death to personnel or SCP-098. Any
members of SCP-098 that appear ill or injured are to be removed and examined.
Description: SCP-098 is a species of previously unknown crustacean. They resemble crabs, but
rather than chelae, the front limbs terminate in knife-like structures that incorporate
silica to form an extremely sharp edge. Specimens reach larger size than normal for land-dwelling
arthropods, at 40 centimeters tall and as large as 60 centimeters across.
Specimens of SCP-098 prefer an environment with ready concealment and shallow pools of
water. They are able to breathe both water and air, splitting their time between the
two environments. They also are capable of vocalizations, using a larynx-like structure
attached to primitive lungs.
SCP-098 demonstrates pack-hunting behavior when attacking prey. When specimens detect
a prey animal, they will attempt to surround it. They will mimic the sounds made by the
creature, apparently to confuse it or to draw it into position. When ready, one specimen
will approach the prey animal. When its attention is fixed on the first specimen, others will
move behind the prey and attempt to cut the tendons of the legs or other limbs. They will
continue to mimic the sounds the prey animal makes to disorient it. After making a cut,
a specimen of SCP-098 will spit a viscous mucus over the wound. This substance hardens
rapidly, preventing blood loss or infection. This continues until the prey animal is completely
immobilized.
At this point, specimens will begin to feed on the prey animal by cutting off small pieces
of flesh. This begins with soft, readily accessible tissues, such as those of the face and extremities,
before moving to other parts of the body. Specimens of SCP-098 will only feed so long
as the prey animal is capable of respiration. Feeding can last several hours or several
days, depending on the size of the prey animal and the number of specimens present.
Specimens of SCP-098 show some ability to communicate, alerting each other to the presence
of threats or potential food over short distances. It was initially thought that SCP-098 might
display human-level intelligence, but are now believed to merely parrot human speech.
SCP-098 normally poses little threat to adult humans, preferring smaller prey, such as dogs,
cats, and small pigs. However, they have attacked larger prey when a sufficient number of specimens
were present, or else other food was unavailable.
SCP-098 was discovered in ██████, Brazil, after a rash of child disappearances.
Addendum 098-1: SCP-098 is more intelligent than previously thought. They adapt quickly
to changes in their environment, and have shown an ability to remember patterns (such
as feeding and cleaning times, and habitual movement of personnel entering their enclosure).
Cleaning personnel must ensure that they regularly vary their routes through the enclosure to
prevent incidents. Dr. Mann has taught several of them simple tricks, and they seem to understand
the meanings of several commands. Testing will continue.