It looks like a snake, probably moves similar to one, but is actually the Dynastor darius darius, a harmless caterpillar with mind-twisting camouflage. When the larvae transform into butterflies or moths, this creature – native to Trinidad – mimics the head of a Gaboon pit viper to successfully fool even the toughest of its predators. The transformation takes approximately 13 days, a time in which this mimicry is its only line of defense. To make it even more believable, the chrysalis hangs on the underside of forest leaves at a carefully selected angle. Continue reading for more pictures and information.
“Apart from its realistic impression of an alert viper, this creature has another trick up its sleeve – it is able to sense the world outside and react appropriately from inside its cover. So when a predator approaches, the pupa can sense movement and swing its shell back and forth, creating the illusion of a moving snake that’s ready to attack,” reports Oddity Central.
