Object #: SCP-073-FR
Threat Level: Yellow ●
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-073-FR must be confined in a 30mx30mx15m pyrex glass terrarium with a thermoregulation system capable of maintaining an internal temperature of 10°C. The automatic injection of a pesticide into the terrarium must be done weekly to control the development of its occupants. A change of the solution utilized is mandatory between each control to prevent adaptation to the chemical agent employed. The terrarium must be surrounded by an incineration system in order to limit the propagation of its inhabitants in the event of a breach, this system covering an area of 3 meters in diameter around the terrarium. Reinforced concrete walls of 10 cm width surround the principal containment and the incinerator. The SCP-073-FR colony must be fed with a sugar and water solution once a month.
Description: SCP-073-FR is an ant species belonging to the genus Dinoponera, but has been identified as a new and unknown species. SCP-073-FR consists of fixed colonies with an average of 100 workers (though a record of ████ was observed, see Recovery Addendum).
SCP-073-FR is hierarchized in several castes without an egg laying true queen. Egg laying may be possible among all "worker" ants, but only done by the "Alpha" worker of the colony, who will keep all the ants of the colony under its control through the use of pheromones and physical injuries.
The characteristics which led to the classification of this species of ant as an SCP are an extreme aggressiveness towards any living being who is not an SCP-73-FR ant, manifested by regular attacks of fauna and flora within a radius of several kilometers around their nest, with the use of their mandibles, formic acid, and a biological arsenal adapted to the species that the anthill wants to destroy, coupled with an abnormally rapid ability to adapt to their environment.
Currently represented by 158 different castes (this number includes castes destroyed or observed outside the specimens confined by the Foundation). Each cast has a unique offensive system which may include mechanisms unknown to the animal world and, in some cases, being considered to defy contemporary notions of the laws of physics such as:
- SCP-073-FR can survive several months without eating or drinking.
- A resistance of several days (██) in the vacuum is possible.
- All forms of SCP-073-FR are able to lift 55 times their own weight.
- SCP-073-FR can survive against chemical agents such as boric acid, bleach, and solutions containing around ±70% sulfuric acid.
- Pressures in a hyperbaric chamber up to 50 bar have been tolerated by SCP-073-FR.
SCP-073-FR can also survive in all biomes on Earth. SCP-073-FR has been seen to have a normal development in polar environments with temperatures as low as -50° C, and in a desert environment with peak temperatures reaching 50° C
These parameters make SCP-073-FR capable of causing the disappearance of any form of life outside its species, including unicellular life forms unnecessary for its development, on a scale of several kilometers. The attack of a species by SCP-073-FR begins with infrequent assaults on targeted individuals which may resemble an analysis phase, SCP-073-FR presenting no abnormalities among the workers compared to normal Dinoponera at this stage.
After the first attacks on the target species, SCP-073-FR’s behavior will change once the species was enough studied. The alpha female will lay eggs with properties and attack systems exploiting the weaknesses of the targeted animal or plant.
Once the eggs hatch and the ants reach the adult stage, they will destroy individuals previously affected by SCP-073-FR, as well as surrounding individuals. Once the species dies out around the nest, SCP-073-FR will eat the killed individuals and attack the next species designated by the “queen”. SCP-073-FR will only attack one species at a time, although it has been observed that the growth of prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes around SCP-073-FR is inhibited for reasons unknown.
Once all forms of life have been destroyed around the nest, SCP-073-FR will hibernate while performing periodical patrols around its nest. As soon as the absence of all forms of life is confirmed around the nest, the ants who are not in the caste of common workers will die via a perception-based mechanism which is no longer stimulated by the presence of organic matter and thereby trigger a toxin in the body of the individual. If no species is targeted by SCP-073-FR, the dominant worker will lay eggs which produce individuals belong to the normal worker caste.
Recovery Addendum:
SCP-073-FR was located on 29/11 / 198█ in the Guyanese forest at the coordinates [WITHHELD].
Scientists on expedition reported that they had noticed the disappearance of several tribes in the area. These facts had also been reported by tribes present in the area. According to the two above sources, the cause of these disappearances would have been due to █████ ants. A research unit was sent to the localities populated by the former communities. The destructions of █ tribes were confirmed. analysis of ███████, plants, and soil samples revealed no traces of multicellular lifeforms and minimal presence of bacteria. The locations where the tribes were situated proved barren; the flora was no longer alive.
The exploration of this extinct ecological niche led to the discovery of SCP-073-FR. Recovery was attempted via the dispersal of the ████ molecule on a local scale, with no effect on SCP-073-FR. The SCP-073-FR colony’s aggressiveness forced an immediate withdrawal of recovery agents. The team assigned to this mission developed a protocol to determine how to recover SCP-073-FR without human risk. Air patrols allowing analysis of the environment were carried out. Once the environment had been studied, recovery was reattempted.
< Start recording >
Audio transcription between the Recovery Team LC-4 and the "Gemini" station located at ██ kilometers from the premises
Recovery Team LC-4: LC-4 Team on Radio Frequency Delta-B, do you copy?
Gemini: Loud and clear, over.
Recovery Team LC-4: We’re in the area indicated by the recovery protocol, we’ll go ahead with the ultrasound broadcast as soon as contact with SCP-073-FR is confirmed.
Gemini: Perfect. Our drone located the center of the structure housing SCP-073-FR, you can continue your progression, no disturbances have been located. We’re going to send our UAV back to base.
Recovery Team LC-4: Copy Gemini, we’re gonna get closer… * A human scream is heard *. Wait, we have a code yellow, personnel injured, we’ve got a man down!
Gemini: Continue, please describe his physical condition LC-4, over.
Recovery Team LC-4: It's stuck in his gut, looks like a javelin… -Unintelligible- Confirmed contact… -Unintelligible-
Gemini: Say again?
Recovery Team LC-4: -Unintelligible- Immediate withdrawal, defensive formation… -Unintelligible- … Wait, they have harpoons on their backs I think!
Gemini: Copy, anything else to report?!
Recovery Team LC-4: -Unintelligible- * Screams are heard * -Unintelligible-
Gemini: Recovery Team LC-4 do you copy? Please respond, frequency Delta-B over. Do you copy?! Shit, lock down the sector in a ██ kilometer radius, Aldebaran take over on frequency Delta-B!
< End of the recording >
The aftermath of these events led to the loss of Recovery Team LC-4. Subsequently, the release of a more powerful pesticide by air eliminated adult SCP-073-FR specimens present on site. A clean-up team was also able to eliminate the traces of the mission and repopulated the forest with local species. A second mission was carried out under optimum conditions. SCP-073-FR eggs that were not affected by the pesticide due to unknown reasons were found.
