Page 26 - It Can't Be True! Animals! - Unbelievable Facts About Amazing Animals (DK)

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Caterpillars

in fancy dress

Before they transform into butterflies and moths,

caterpillars come in wild designs and colours

that warn predators of the dangers of eating them.

Saddleback caterpillar
The saddleback wears its bright markings like a high-
visibility jacket, sending out a “don’t touch” message
to predators. Spines at the caterpillar’s front and rear pack
an extremely painful sting. The brown moth that emerges
from this astonishing caterpillar is surprisingly plain.

Puss moth
The adult moth is named
for its fluffy-cat appearance.
As a caterpillar, it uses its
f ierce face and whiplash
tails as threats, but its real
defence is to squirt acid.

Death’s-head hawk moth
This sinister name comes from the skull-like
markings on the adult moth. No less impressive,
the hefty yellow and green caterpillar may grow
up to 12.5 cm (5 in) long. When threatened
it will click its jaws to ward off predators,
or even attempt to bite them.

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