Tar Pudding

Notebook Entry

Deviation O-053 is an unknown terrestrial mollusk resembling an octopus, with tentacles about 30 cm long and weighing between 10 and 70 kilograms. Its skin is bright blue with black spots, and its overall appearance is similar to animals of the Octopodidae family. Most O-053 specimens are secured in volcanic caves or other subterranean structures.

The main Deviation trait of O-053 is its unusual physiological structure: it lacks traditional organs, and all tissue beneath its skin consists of a highly viscous, low-volatility, dark brown hydrocarbon gel (referred to as O-053-A).
Spectral analysis shows O-053-A is composed of roughly 85% carbon and 15% hydrogen, with trace amounts of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements, and a molecular weight between 270 and 300. The physical and chemical properties of O-053-A are similar to crude oil.
During O-053's life processes, O-053-A undergoes regular amorphous changes, forming temporary cavities, blood vessels, or similar structures that function as biological organs.

For easier terrestrial movement, O-053 contains several gas sacs filled with low-density gaseous hydrocarbons, with a total volume of 5 to 20 liters. The gas mixture, primarily hydrogen and methane, has a density of about 0.29 kg/m³, allowing the creature to float in the air.

O-053 seeks out and inhabits a suitable external shell to protect its numerous gas sacs and fragile amorphous tissue. Typically, it selects porous volcanic rock of the appropriate size and hollows it out for use as a shell. However, some O-053 units have been observed taking refuge in discarded human-made objects of comparable weight and size, such as oil drums or crates.

O-053 can sustain itself only by consuming crude oil or other alkane-based compounds. It does not require water, air, or other organic nutrients. When O-053 needs to "feed," its siphon-like structure (similar to those seen on cephalopod) extends into a long, pipe-like form to penetrate deep layers of the earth and extract crude oil.
In fact, the amount of O-053-A required to extend such a pipe to reach oil reservoirs far exceeds the mass of the O-053 specimen itself, and the source of this extra mass is unknown.

It's worth noting that O-053 also possesses a unique electromagnetic sense that allows it to detect underground oil reservoirs, though the exact mechanism behind this ability is unclear. The proposal to use O-053 for oil and gas exploration (File No. / ) has been approved.

Securement Procedures:
Do:
O-053 should be housed in a Grade III or higher high-value biological securement area, with additional fire-resistant enclosures. Enrichment facilities should follow Appendix O-053-G-001 for further specifications.

Don't:
Bring any fire sources into the O-053 securement area.