The Caterpillar That Mimics Snake Heads
Some caterpillars, like the hawk moth larva, transform their rear ends into terrifying snake-like heads when threatened. They rear up, flare “eyes,” and sway like cobras—convincing enough to make birds and lizards hesitate or flee altogether.
The transformation is purely visual—the caterpillar can’t bite or strike—but it’s effective nonetheless. By borrowing another animal’s fear factor, these squishy larvae give themselves a fighting chance in a dangerous world. Sometimes pretending to be dangerous is the best defense.
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