The Atlas moth disguises itself as a snake to survive

When I first saw this, I was sure it was a snake and I was startled to the core! But when I took a closer look…

The Atlas moth isn’t an average-looking moth. What makes this moth special isn’t just its wingspan, which reaches 9.4 inches, but its ability to disguise as one of the greatest predators out there, the snakes.

These moths are endemic to the forests of Asia and were first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Their wing pattern make them unique. The upper side of the wings are reddish brown with a patch of black, white, pink, and purple lines while the tips of both forewings have prominent extensions that resemble the head of a snake.

“It is impossible not to be fascinated by the atlas moth. This is due to its beauty, the detail on its wings, and its sheer size at every stage of its life cycle,” says Luke Brown, manager of the Museum’s butterfly house, and as much as we learn about this unique species the more we agree with this statement.

Even as a caterpillar, the atlas moth is quite impressive. The larvae feed constantly, storing up for the pupal and adult stages. At the same time, it produces silk similar to the product created by domesticated silkworms.

Related Posts

My Sister Ruined My Graduation to Remind Me I’m Not ‘Really’ Family

When I was adopted at ten, I gained a sister—Ava—who leaned in that first night and whispered, “You ruined my life. I’ll ruin yours.” I thought she…

The Secret Behind the Upside-Down Stair Baluster That Most People Miss

I’ve lived in several multi-story homes, some with beautiful staircases, but I never noticed anything unusual — until recently. After moving into a new house, I started…

The Officer Came to Arrest Her—But Rescued a Puppy Instead

I was on my porch sipping lukewarm coffee when the patrol car rolled up across the street. It parked right in front of Miss Lillian’s place—you know,…

I Found a Child Abandoned Next Door — What I Did Changed Both Our Lives Forever

When a mysterious family moved into the long-abandoned house next door, I couldn’t help but notice how strange they seemed—especially the little girl who played alone in…

When Jennifer Spoke: A Month Into Motherhood

A month had flown by since we officially became a family of three. After months of planning, forms, and background checks, Richard and I finally brought little…

Farmer discovers strange eggs in his field – experts offer surprising explanation

A Routine Walk Turned Discovery During a quiet morning stroll through his soybean field, 64-year-old farmer Thomas noticed something odd. After overnight rain, his soil was damp,…