Scorpions may look gross, but there are many interesting things to learn about them. If you live in a deserted area or are just curious to know the answer to the question above, read on.
The most common myth about scorpions is that if you spot one, you need to look for another that’s hiding nearby. That, and of course, that they’re aggressive creatures.
That’s not entirely true, though. We’ve made it our mission (it’s not that heroic, we know) to debunk this myth and help you understand how social these creepy-looking creatures are.
Can Scorpions Live Together?
The short answer is no. Scorpions are lone wolves that prefer to live, travel, and eat alone.
The longer answer is that a scorpion’s social skills depend on the species to which they belong. Emperor Scorpions, for example, can be housed with others as long as their roommates are the same size as they are.
In the wild, though, the Emperor Scorpion follows in the footsteps of its species and spends its days in solitude.
Perhaps the only two times scorpions can be found together is when they’re mating, and afterward when a female scorpion is giving birth.
Meeting for Mating
In some scorpion species, mating is the only time when one scorpion can be found with another. But a common characteristic among all scorpion species is that they don’t spend much time with their mates.
When scorpions meet to mate, they link their pincers together and dance, with the male taking the lead. This dance is called ‘promenade à deux.’
The myth of some female scorpions killing and eating the males after mating is sadly true. However, the females that do this belong to scorpion species that are of high density.
It’s interesting to note that some scorpion species, such as the Tityus Serrulatus Lutz, are parthenogenesis, meaning the females of these species don’t need the male and will self-impregnate.
In other words, a scorpion species has found a way to be completely self-sufficient without the need for another. But what about scorpion babies?
The Scorpion Mother-Child Relationship
A typical scorpion mother gives birth to an average of 25 to 30 babies per pregnancy.
Fun fact: scorpions birth up to 100 scorpions per mating season!
Unlike other predatory arachnids, such as spiders, a mother scorpion doesn’t lay eggs. In fact, baby scorpions are born alive.
A baby scorpion is born without the shiny and hard exterior that scorpions are known for. They’re born with soft exoskeletons that harden and become stiff after 10 to 20 days.
During those 10-20 days, a baby scorpion will crawl and ride on its mother’s back. They’ll stay there until their shell is formed, then they’ll leave their mothers to start their life journey alone.
However, a few of the scorpion species extend this mother-child relationship and stay with their scorpion families.
The Emperor Scorpion, for example, is known to sometimes do this. Their offspring might remain with their mothers for days, months, and even years after their shell has formed.
Even after they’ve become adults, Emperor Scorpions might remain in the nest with their family. Some even go family hunting together!
Do Scorpions Hunt Together?
Speaking of family hunting, do scorpions hunt and feed in pairs? Or do they prefer to be alone while feeding as well?
The answer is, you guessed it, they like to hunt alone. Scorpions live a simple life, only meeting the minimum requirements that ensure their survival.
That’s why they usually hunt at night. This way, they can avoid being prey to animals that feed on them, such as owls, lizards, rodents, and carnivores.
Scorpions are also known for their cannibalism. They’re not aggressive towards humans, contrary to what you may think, but they often show violence towards one another.
We’d say that’s because they grow up alone and don’t develop strong ties with the rest of their kind. As a last resort for survival, even the mother would feed on her babies if she doesn’t find food!
As a result of their deep-set behaviors, scientists have opted to call scorpions “inveterate cannibals.” When they’re not eating each other, scorpions will feed on smaller insects, bugs, and grub worms.
Scorpions will either catch and crush their prey, or inject them with their venom.
Interesting fact: if food is scarce, scorpions will slow down their metabolism to survive on only one insect per year!
Do Scorpions Travel in Pairs?
Another myth people seem to commonly believe is that scorpions like to travel in pairs. We’d blame Hollywood films for this one.
The reality is that scorpions don’t travel much in their lifetime. Their lives span over 10 years, through which they’re most likely to only travel a few hundred feet.
Because their traveling trips are so short, they don’t see a need to have another scorpion tag along.
Scorpions usually travel during the nighttime. Noticed the night pattern yet? That’s right, scorpions are nocturnal insects.
So when the night comes, scorpions will go on a stroll and feed alone. And when the sun returns, they’ll curl up under rocks, fallen trees, logs, or tree bark to sleep the day away.
Do Scorpions Sleep Together?
Some scorpion species are fans of sleepovers and some aren’t.
The Bark Scorpion, for example, is one of the most dangerous and venomous scorpions and has been found to nest and sleep with other scorpions of its kind.
But even if 30 of them can be found snuggling together, that’s the extent of their socialism. After they wake up, they’ll still eat, travel, and fend for themselves alone.
Other scorpions, when finding a spot to sleep in, will look for a place away from fellow scorpions. They also never sleep in the same spot twice.
Why Are Scorpions Lonesome Creatures?
The ultimate wonder is, why do scorpions actively choose this life of solitude?
They don’t gather together or form clans. On the rare occasion that you find two scorpions together, it doesn’t mean there’s a nest nearby or you’re at risk of a scorpion infestation.
Scorpions were made, and have since evolved gradually, to survive the hardest conditions, alone, with no backup. They live quiet lives, and their only aims are to feed and sleep peacefully.
The venom in their stingers is strong enough to divert most of their predators away. They can be frozen overnight, and still thaw the ice away and break free the next day.
In short, a scorpion always looks out for number one: themselves. If the presence of another scorpion won’t add to their survival skills, they simply won’t bother.
Final Thoughts
Question: can scorpions live together?
Answer: the majority of scorpions are introverted, solitary insects that interact only at birth, when mating, or for cannibalism.
Contrary to common belief, scorpions aren’t aggressive creatures. Their looks may be deceiving, but their day-to-day lives are simple and quiet.
Scorpions liking to travel together in pairs is another belief we’ve gotten rid of today. Like true hermits, these creatures prefer solitude to pointless gatherings.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that each scorpion species differs greatly from the rest. Not many characteristics are common across all species.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. I have a wife and two children and love taking them to the zoo to see all the animals. I grew up with dogs and fish and now have two dogs and two cats. I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.
Seb
Tuesday 22nd of February 2022
Does the rule about Emperor Scorpions apply with Asian Forest Scorpions.
Thank you for the blog.