Cryptic Caterpillars

We all may think we know what caterpillars are. They are green wiggly things that we see on leaves or trees and they eventually turn into moths or caterpillars. Sometimes they are cute, sometimes kind of slimy, but not really that scary. They look like they couldn't hurt anything . . . RIGHT?

WELL . . . .

mothmimic

*Isn't this the scariest caterpillar you've ever seen?*

This caterpillar is not about to be killed or eaten. Its defense is to look like a SNAKE! That isn't a bad choice, because many animals are very afraid of snakes. This caterpillar has a built in suit of armor, just like a soldier, to protect itself. Imagine if a little caterpillar were to try to live in the woods. How long do you think it would last? Probably not very long, right? A bird would come swooping by to eat him! This way, the caterpillar can scare off some of its predators and probably feel good about the way it is tricking everyone!


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