We share the Earth with a ton of cool creatures. Many of them, however, tend to go unnoticed. Take caterpillars, for example. While we absolutely adore the butterflies they transform into, we tend to not pay as much attention to the “before.” Because of this, many of us may not realize how unique caterpillars can look, particularly one that has been nicknamed the dragon-headed caterpillar.
Videos by InspireMore
That’s right: There is a caterpillar with the name “dragon” in it. Best of all, this name wasn’t given simply because it sounds awesome. Turns out, there’s a whole subgroup of caterpillars that develop “head capsules” that oddly resemble horns. As a result, these bugs end up looking like the tiniest, cutest dragons you have ever seen! See one up close in the video at this link, as captured by someone named Francesca.
@francescahulm such a beautiful creature, but it becomes a pretty nondescript butterfly really. #caterpillar #dragon #nature #targaryen #houseofthedragon #australian #naturevibes #wildlife #insect ♬ original sound – Francescahottakes
Based on the text in the video, it’s clear that Francesca is thrilled to have stumbled across this cute guy — and we understand why! They really do look like dragons. And, as many people have pointed out, they also look like they came straight out of a Pokémon game! Luckily, these unique creatures can be found in a variety of temperate or tropical areas. This includes Asia, Australia, and North and South America.
Meet the Dragon-Headed Caterpillar, an Odd Looking Creature That Looks Like it Belongs in Pokémon
You may be wondering: What is the purpose of their dragon-like appearance. Turns out, the answer is not “to look super cool.” Instead, this unique appearance is meant to help them look more intimidating to predators like birds and lizards. In fact, this is the same reason they have two pairs of false legs toward the front of their body.
Picture this: When feeling threatened, the dragon-headed caterpillar inflates its head, shaking it about. Then, they move their “legs” in an intimidating way. What an interesting way for these little guys to stay safe! Needless to say, even folks who aren’t fans of bugs make an exception for these creatures.
“That’s the most beautiful caterpillar I’ve ever seen,” someone shares in the comments, another adding, “Okay, as a bug hater, I have to admit that’s a cool one!”
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!
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