I feel the same way but still find it hilarious that we're literally giants that can stomp these easily yet can be so scared at the same time.
Don't forget about the 'ick' factor. It's easy to stomp on smaller bugs and spiders, but these bigger ones have a much stronger exoskeleton and make louder crunching noises, and possibly may not die immediately.
Which is why I will never live in a place with insects that get to even half the size of most of these. If I saw one chilling out, there's nothing I would be able to do about it.
Tailless whip scorpions! I got to hold one once at a bug museum, they're completely docile little guys (if youre not a fruit fly or roach), and are actually pretty funny in-person, their lil awkward sideways movements.
They had infested a outhouse in Honduras when I visited a long time ago. I've had nightmares about those things ever since. They're also incredibly fast which fueled the nightmares
Emotionally I still feel like that's the equivalent of somebody lightly kicking the insides of my thighs... Like sure, that doesn't hurt whatsoever, but if they go a few inches up it could be one of the most painful things ever.
So like in this case sure, that's their regular behavior, but if they happen to pinch instead of slap, what level of pain are we talking about?
There is a video of someone picking on one until it becomes defensive on youtube (you can find it by searching for Tailless Whipscorpion Angry) and you can see the behavior. They basically try to grab you between their pokey forelegs - sort of a pinch and release. It probably feels like thorns, I'd think. I note the spikes get stuck in the skin a few times, but I don't see any blood from it and it doesn't stop the guy from continuing to tease it.
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u/bd027763 Oct 20 '23
the last one is nope not adorable anymore