The cockatrice
The mechanism in which the cockatrice's petrifaction works has been proved to derive from the modification of inactive stem cells within the observer. (1) Such modification has been theorized to happen thanks to quantum paths put in place by a specialized organ under the cockatrice’s eyes hitherto known as geranofyra autopsy of dead instances of cockatrice show that such organ also takes on the function of the animal’s tear ducts. (2) An in-depth study on the quantum interactions leading to the infection of stem cells on victims of the cockatrice is yet to be approved, any information regarding the subject is to be sanitized. (3)
Post-infection, the infected victim’s stem cells will perform the following two actions:
1. Replicate
2. Alter its own genetic structure to match the subject’s bone cells.
Infected cells mutate at an anomalous rate causing visible changes within the body after seconds of infection.
The forced acceleration also causes imperfections in the new bone cell giving it its characteristic “stone-like” color and hard but brittle properties (4), despite the resemblance, victims of the cockatrice are not stone solid but entirely covered by very similar yet genetically different materials. (5)
A study of cockatrice attacks under controlled laboratory conditions has proven to give useful data towards determining how much control the beast has over its victim's mutation;
The beast possesses the ability to stop the process at any point within a range of 15 square meters from its victim, cockatrices at greater distances struggle when commanded to halt the process and fail at a rate of 70% leaving the petrifaction process to continue indefinitely.
Reintroduction of the cockatrice to the 15-meter radius does not restore the animal's ability to halt nor reverse the process; This has been theorized to happen due to the breaking of quantum paths controlling the mechanism of infection. (6)
An autopsy on five victims of a cockatrice, with infection time periods varying from a day to a month, has shown that subjects stay in a suspended state for a period of three days to four weeks before vitals are compromised and irreparable damage is made. (7)
References:
1 - Giddy A. Methods of action on petrifaction spells - Addiction Magic. 1331:947–954.
2 - Starshine F, Sunrise K. Study of the unknown organs found on animals. Magno incognita. 1325:148–156.
3 - Royal decree, canterlot archives "Regarding mass-destruction spells" COT-PCC79B00552F000200070-4
4 - Cottoneye J. Forced growth and mutation over mice. Canterlot's Journal of Health. 1335;34:275–285.
5 - Sugarquest M. Composition and comparison of magical elements: An analysis of published data. 1341;298:784–788.
6 - D'Gateau B. On weaponizing magical creatures. 1320;4:55–59.
7 - Redheart M.D. Treatment and prevention: On magical creatures. 1328;85:150–160.