3/7/2023: Not so bratty firebrats

Once more I’ve found myself admiring my feeders to a degree that most would admire their cherished pet tarantula or “higher” organism.

Mid chore spree in the bug room, two firebrats in the new locality colony caught my eye. The smaller one, presumably a male, was nudging, doing laps around, and longingly “staring” at the larger individual. There was a certain tenderness to these movements, as anthropomorphism aside both parties were clearly focused wholly on each other for some time.

I was reminded again of how even a teeny, tiny brain like that of silverfish contains intricate innate information and wiring for responsive behaviors that human artificial intelligence cannot yet perform.

The sweetness was soon interrupted by another male, who proceeded to join in the circling. I didn’t watch long enough to see if things became antagonistic, but I’d gotten my fill of sentimentality in those moments and decided not to clutter the memory with excess details.

-Kyle