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SCORPIONS 



popular interest for a number of reasons, not the least being their 

 curious mating habits. Courtship takes the form of a dance ('pro- 

 menade a deux') first observed by Maccary in 1810 and later 

 described by Fabre (1907), Serfat and Vachon (1950) and Thorn- 

 ton (1956). On finding a female, the male grasps her pedipalpal 

 claws with his and walks sideways or backwards while she follows, 



Fig 20. Courtship dance of scorpions. (After Vachon, 1953.) 



usually without reluctance. In Buthotus alticola the promenade is 

 preceded by a manoeuvre during which the two animals face each 

 other, forcibly straighten the back parts of their bodies and com- 

 press their abdomens to the ground, whilst their tails, extended 

 upwards, are continuously entwined and then disengaged. The 

 promenade which follows is somewhat less energetic and the tails 

 of the two animals are raised but supple. The male directs opera- 

 tions while his mate follows placidly as he leads the dance. The 

 process may last several hours and in the case of Buthus occitanus 

 the tails may again be entwined but of course without hostile intent. 



