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When the female is carrying babies, the "fight" strategy is just as risky as it was without babies -- but the "flee" strategy is now even worse than "fight."

Fortunately, females of this scorpion species have a way to handle this dilemma. When they are carrying babies, they change their behavior... (roll mouse over image to run animation.)



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This behavioral flexibility -- in this case, switching from running away to standing and fighting -- is one way scorpions compensate for the cost of parental care.