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This behavioral flexibility in female scorpions carrying babies is exactly what was found by researchers studying scorpions in Texas. Lawrence R. Shaffer and Daniel R. Formanowicz measured sprint speed in scorpions in a laboratory setting. They found that scorpions carrying babies were 39% slower than those without babies. More importantly, 65% of the scorpions carrying babies would not run at all -- they consistently tried to face down the simulated predator (in this case, forceps that were used to give the scorpion a light prod in the tail).

How do the scorpions carrying babies "know" that it is better to stand and fight than to run? In other words, what is the proximate cause behind this behavioral flexibility? The authors did not address this question, so the answer remains to be found out by later researchers.

In science, answering one question usually raises many new questions. Although researchers are always learning new things about animal behavior, there is always much more that is unknown. If studying science has given you the impression that everything worth knowing has already been found out, you are very wrong! There are many, many more unanswered questions than ones that have been answered!

Reference:

Shaffer, L.R. and D. R. Formanowicz, Jr. 1996. A cost of viviparity and parental care in scorpions: reduced sprint speed and behavioural compensation. Animal Behaviour 51:1017-1024.

Abstract of their paper.

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