- Joined
- Jan 1, 2003
- Messages
- 663
Alright, for those who aren't familiar with my ancient posts here, I've had emps before and in groups but this is the first time I started with one and added another. I added a second emp to my current solitary emp and noticed their behavior and found it interesting. It left me with a few questions for anyone who might have experience or an invertebrate-related profession.
The first emp, Dr.Claw, is a mature male, and likely older. He isn't terribly active and eats very seldom.
The new one is possibly sub-adult, hopefully female, very active, and a good eater.
I separated them and rearranged the tank to make it "new" to both of them and I made sure there were plenty of places to hide. Then I introduced one, then the other. Dr.Claw, normally a pet rock, chased the new emp around, pinched at it and even at one point tried to sting (I blocked his attempt). The otherwise feisty new scorpion backed into a corner and basically submitted. I moved one to another side of the tank where there was a hide and waited a few minutes. They each took up residence in different places, the new guy grabbed a roach and made himself at home. And to my surprise, not long after, they're both peacefully sharing one hide and the new one was still eating. Not a problem since.
So, this got me to wondering, do communal scorpions have the same kind of alpha/beta social structure seen in animals that live in packs, like wolves? Or was Dr.Claw merely challenging the new one to see if it was a threat, and backed off when the other submitted? I find these questions fascinating, since their "brains" are so primitive.
Insights appreciated!
The first emp, Dr.Claw, is a mature male, and likely older. He isn't terribly active and eats very seldom.
The new one is possibly sub-adult, hopefully female, very active, and a good eater.
I separated them and rearranged the tank to make it "new" to both of them and I made sure there were plenty of places to hide. Then I introduced one, then the other. Dr.Claw, normally a pet rock, chased the new emp around, pinched at it and even at one point tried to sting (I blocked his attempt). The otherwise feisty new scorpion backed into a corner and basically submitted. I moved one to another side of the tank where there was a hide and waited a few minutes. They each took up residence in different places, the new guy grabbed a roach and made himself at home. And to my surprise, not long after, they're both peacefully sharing one hide and the new one was still eating. Not a problem since.
So, this got me to wondering, do communal scorpions have the same kind of alpha/beta social structure seen in animals that live in packs, like wolves? Or was Dr.Claw merely challenging the new one to see if it was a threat, and backed off when the other submitted? I find these questions fascinating, since their "brains" are so primitive.
Insights appreciated!
