Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Rare look at a Caterpillar Mimicking a Snake

 This is a very rare glimpse into the Elephant Hawk Moth (deilephila elpenor) caterpillar mimicking a snake. When startled, the caterpillar draws its trunk into its foremost body segment. This posture resembles a snake with a large head and four large eye-like patches.

Once it reaches adulthood, the caterpillar morphs into a colourful moth, and then most likely eaten by a bat.



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