SCP-5XXX: Those Other Penguins

Item №: SCP-5XXX

Anomaly Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures:

Description: SCP-5XXX is the combined designation given to all birds of the family Sphenisciforms (penguins). SCP-5XXX are physically non-anomalous, and individually pose no threat to normalcy or danger to humans.

SCP-5XXX can be divided into two groups (designated 5XXX⁺ and 5XXX^- instances) which mutually annihilate on contact, producing a large burst of gamma radiation¹. Aside from this property the two groups possess no identifying features, rendering them entirely indistinguishable. The annihilative property does not extend to non-living penguin tissue such as discarded feathers, eggshells, or carcasses, nor to penguins who have not reached sexual maturity — for the sake of convenience, these will be designated 5XXX⁰.

Groups of SCP-5XXX instances are clustered by type in the wild, with individual flocks being composed almost entirely of members of one group. Penguins ##

Footnotes

1. Exact energy released is dependent on a variety of factors. Female penguins of most species produce larger quantities than males, while Pygoscelis antarcticus produce disproportionately large explosions regardless of sex. The mass of a penguin has no bearing on the quantity of radiation emitted.