A common misconception about scorpions suggests mothers consume their young. This notion, however, does not reflect the actual maternal behavior observed in scorpions. Female scorpions exhibit a remarkable degree of parental care, a characteristic that sets them apart from many other arachnids. This protective behavior ensures the survival of their offspring in a challenging environment.
The Truth About Scorpion Motherhood
Female scorpions give live birth to their young, known as scorplings, rather than laying eggs. The fertilized eggs develop inside the mother’s body for several months. Immediately after birth, the soft-bodied scorplings, which are initially white or pale, instinctively climb onto their mother’s back.
This “piggyback” ride protects against predators and environmental hazards, as the young are highly vulnerable. The mother’s back provides a safe haven, allowing the scorplings to undergo their first molt, a process where they shed their soft embryonic exoskeleton for a harder, more functional one. During this period, which lasts between 10 to 20 days, the scorplings do not feed but absorb nutrients from a yolk sac. The mother transports and guards her offspring until they are physically capable of independent survival.
Why This Myth Persists
The persistent myth of scorpions eating their young likely stems from a misinterpretation of their natural behavior. Observers might see numerous scorplings clustered on their mother’s back and mistakenly believe they are consuming her. This visual can appear unsettling to those unfamiliar with scorpion biology, contributing to the spread of such misconceptions. The initial soft, pale appearance of the scorplings might also add to the illusion of them being partially consumed or undeveloped.
Scorpions are opportunistic predators, their diet consisting of insects like crickets and beetles, and other arthropods. Larger species may also prey on small vertebrates like lizards. While instances of cannibalism can occur, particularly in stressful conditions or when food is extremely scarce, a mother scorpion eating her young is not a typical behavior. These rare occurrences are often a last resort for the mother’s survival.
The Next Stage of a Young Scorpion’s Life
After completing their first molt, the scorplings transform, developing a harder exoskeleton and resembling miniature adult scorpions. This important developmental step occurs while they are still on their mother’s back, making them less vulnerable to external threats. Once this molt is complete, the young scorpions are ready to leave their mother’s care and live independently.
They disperse from their mother, beginning to forage and establish their own territories. At this stage, they are capable of hunting small prey, gradually developing their predatory skills. Scorpions will continue to molt several more times throughout their lives, typically five or six additional molts, as they grow and mature. This transition marks the end of their maternal dependency and the beginning of their solitary lives as hunters.