Try to get through this post without shuddering.
Behold one of the most clever disguises in nature: a caterpillar that disguises itself as a snake head.
The caterpillar creates its chrysalis to protect itself when it's forming into a butterfly. It's exceptionally convincing mimicry, as Nerdist reports.
Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay
Found in Trinidad, this species looks a bit like a viper to ward off potential predators while it's busy liquefying itself.
Here's another view of the Dynastor darius darius chrysalis.
Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay
The pupa isn't completely helpless, though.
It can sense external stimuli, so if it was interrupted during its 13-day transformation period, it could sway back and forth to make itself really resemble a snake, as Nerdist points out.
The butterfly, when it emerges, is dark brown to black with a series of big white spots across its wings. (You can see some images of it in this study.)
Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay
Not today, predators.
Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay
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