Comments on: Scorpion Eggs

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:29:12 +0000

The male would do well to watch his back from the start of her post-coital disappointment. Her senses were dulled in the promenade à deux, yes?

As far as I know, the Hottenttota are the same variety, and the sometime parthenogenetic phenomenon is a mystery. There are scorpion breeders who keep them as pets and boast online (with unsettling photos) of their rare litters of scorplings who were not fathered.

I use old world in the sense that they are native to the Eastern Hemisphere, especially Eurasia and Africa.

I have hereby exhausted my knowledge of the subject and sincerely hope there are no further questions, Tara.

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:44:17 +0000

I barely know anything about astrology for humans, but what is its traditional application to animals? They must share the same set of symbols, right? I see that some enterprising group in the UK is offering horoscope readings for cats and dogs, but is that pure capitalism or does it have any historical basis? Wouldn’t it mess it up when certain animals have a mating/birthing season? If the planets matter for us, shouldn’t they matter for them though? So maybe seahorses could all share a sign.

What I didn’t understand:
If the male is strong enough to drag her around (or kiss her around) why does he have to be so scared of her cannibalizing him?

Are the Hottenttota scorpions the same ones as the more conventionally reproducing ones in the beginning, or a different variety? What does old world mean, in the context of scorpions? I’m guess, not Europe?

By: Michele Peters

Michele Peters — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:34:07 +0000

wow…I had know idea that you were such a biologist!! Nice writing.

By: Nancy Belson

Nancy Belson — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:22:26 +0000

Reading this – I kept asking myself – am I the Scorpian or the Sea Horse?

By: Tim Hayes

Tim Hayes — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:46:59 +0000

Very interesting and well written piece, Brian. And here I thought only male mailmen ejaculate parcels of sperm….

By: clive hirschhorn

clive hirschhorn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:23:08 +0000

Great piece, Brian. I didn’t know any of this.You’ve contributed to my on-going education.

By: Eric Eicher

Eric Eicher — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:52:21 +0000

I, too, enjoyed this Brian. It was very nimbly written, not to mention funny. Interestingly, what you close the fifth paragraph by saying would be a buzz kill for a female scorpion, though I can agree it would be for some humans, would seem to be quite the opposite for her, since the interaction you describe would appear to be a routine aspect of scorpion sex, meaning this weird and venomous dance must be pop-pop-popular in Scorpion Land.

By: Siobhan

Siobhan — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:26:48 +0000

Brian,
Loved it! Really, really interesting!