This Is A Snake-Mimicking Butterfly And It’s Terrifying

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.

Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay

The caterpillar creates its chrysalis to protect itself when it's forming into a butterfly. It's exceptionally convincing mimicry, as Nerdist reports.

Found in Trinidad, this species looks a bit like a viper to ward off potential predators while it's busy liquefying itself.

Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay

Here's another view of the Dynastor darius darius chrysalis.

The pupa isn't completely helpless, though.

Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay

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.)

Not today, predators.

Andreas Kay / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: andreaskay

H/T Nerdist