So you’re walking through the wilds of Trinidad and you happen to look up — right into the leering face of a viper. But then you notice that there’s something a little weird about this viper.
Before you head for the hills, take a closer look. There’s a better chance you’re actually looking at one of these.
The Dynastor darius starts off life looking like this, happily munching away on leaves.
When it comes time to grow up, they create a chrysalis around themselves like all good caterpillars do. Inside, they undergo their 13-day transformation into a butterfly. But while that’s happening, they’re vulnerable to predators for obvious reasons. That’s why they developed this awesome disguise.
To a passing predator, the chrysalis looks like the native Gaboon pit viper, which is much more formidable than a caterpillar.
And if that doesn’t work, the caterpillar will sway from side to side, just as a snake would when sizing up its prey. Even though it’s completely wrapped up, the caterpillar can still sense outside stimuli.
Nature is pretty weird sometimes, and things aren’t always as they seem. So the next time you see something freaky on a weekend hike, it might actually be a teeny bug playing a joke on you.
