Caterpillar looks like a snake for camouflage

Professor Daniel Janzen photographs the snake-like bug that wards off predators by looking and acting like a snake; found in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Belize

May 28, 2014 by David Strege

The snake caterpillar uses a clever disguise to ward off predators. Photo by Daniel Janzen/Janzen.UPenn.edu/Caters News used by permission

A caterpillar in Costa Rica uses a unique disguise to ward off predators and the costume is quite striking, as is its response should it be approached.
The caterpillar cleverly camouflages itself as a slithering snake and comes with a head that looks like a snake. The snake caterpillar, in its larval state before becoming a moth, will also strike harmlessly if approached, just as a snake would, with the exception of a potential bite.
According to Caters News Agency, the bug creates the illusion of looking like a dangerous reptile by expanding parts at the end of its body.
Daniel Janzen, a professor of biology at the University of Pennsylvania, took the photos you see here while cataloguing caterpillars in the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Caters News Agency released the photos on Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/caterpillar-appears-snake-camouflage/