In the quiet town of Santa Fe, Argentina, 46-year-old Lujan Eroles had a surprising moment when she found a strange creature in her garden.
At first, she thought it was a snake. But on a closer look, she realized it was something else—a small, 10-centimeter-long creature that looked just like a serpent.
The discovery shocked her and her neighbors, sparking curiosity and discussions.
Eroles described the moment, saying her first reaction was to scream.
The creature had snake-like features and unusual eyes, making her fear that it could be dangerous. Neighbors gathered to see the strange sight, all wondering what it could be.
“I have never seen anything like it. It looked just like a snake, and its eyes were so strange,” she told National Geographic.
She also admitted being scared, thinking it might be poisonous. The fear of danger made the moment even more intense, but she quickly realized this was no ordinary animal.
Wanting answers, Eroles took a video of the creature and shared it online.
The video quickly gained attention, with people discussing and guessing what the animal could be. Its snake-like look and small size confused many, leading to different theories about its identity.
As more people watched the video, experts and wildlife enthusiasts joined the discussion.
Finally, the creature was identified as a rare species of caterpillar, likely an Elephant Hawk-Moth Caterpillar. This species is known for an incredible defense mechanism—it mimics a snake to scare away predators.
It has two large “eye markings” behind its head, making it look bigger and more threatening than it actually is.
Since it doesn’t have other ways to defend itself, this mimicry helps it survive. Many predators avoid snakes, so looking like one gives the caterpillar protection in the wild.
Eroles’ unexpected find not only amazed her and her neighbors but also showed the incredible ways nature helps creatures survive.
This caterpillar is just one example of how animals adapt to protect themselves, reminding us of the hidden wonders in the natural world.