Question

For scorpions, mating is particularly worrisome since the female can eat the male. Therefore, the male scorpion:

a. Avoids mating altogether
b. Engages in aggressive displays to deter the female
c. Offers the female a food gift during courtship
d. Quickly mates and retreats to a safe distance

Answer 1

The male scorpion gives a food gift to the female during courtship to lower the risk of becoming prey after mating.

Step-by-step explanation:

For scorpions, during the courtship and mating process, the male scorpion often engages in behaviors to reduce the risk of predation by the female. The correct behavior among the provided options is that the male scorpion offers the female a food gift during courtship. This behavior is known as a nuptial gift, which can appease the female and lower the male's chances of becoming prey. While some species may exhibit aggressive displays, quickly mating and retreating, or other strategies, offering a food gift is a common tactic for many arthropods, including some species of spiders and insects, to ensure successful mating without being eaten by the female.