If you look closely at a tree in Indonesia, Malaysia, China, or India, you may notice a huge insect that looks like two cobras when it is scared.
Many people couldn’t guess what animal it is but the Attacus atlas, also known as ‘snake’s head’ or Atlas moth, can transform from a delicate insect into a deadly reptile.
It is perhaps most famous for the markings on the upper part of their wings, which bear a resemblance to cobras.
According to the London Museum of Natural History, “the moth’s Cantonese name translates as snake’s head moth, because the tips of its wings look similar to the head of a deadly cobra.”
“When threatened, the moth will drop to the floor and writhe around, slowly flapping its wings to imitate snake head and neck movements and scare away predators,” it continued.
The Atlas moth is one of the biggest in the world. In fact, the wingspan of a female moth can reach up to 10 inches!
The unique wings of the Atlas moth look like the heads of two cobras, and this camouflage greatly helps scare away predators looking for some snacks.
Its large size is probably one of the reasons it received the name Atlas, the titan god of Greek mythology.
Even though the Atlas moth has incredible camouflage, it can only live for only two weeks. As soon as it leaves its caterpillar phase, its mouth is sealed and unable to feed. Its only mission is to reproduce and keep her eggs safe.
Even though the Atlas moth is only around for two weeks, it leaves a lasting impression on people it meets.
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