Animal Mimicry: Caterpillars mimic snake

Survival is an important factor in the life of all animals. In the wild, the animals have to protect themselves from predators and competitors. Some animals change their color that matches the environment or mimic other animals in order to hide from the predators. The octopus is the best example for changing colours and mimicking other sea animals. Some animals have same colour as their environment which help them for hunting and hiding. The arctic foxes have snowy white fur, so that their preys cannot notice them easily. Some of the owls have colour pattern that resembles tree barks, so that they can hide in the trees. 

(Arctic Fox - Wikipedia)

The insects usually have short lifespan. They have to survive and reproduce within that short period. The moths and butterflies have different stages of life including egg, caterpillar and adult moth or butterfly. They need to survive all the stages to fulfill their life. Thus, they are evolved to use mimicry as a tool to survive. The most common protective skill in the butterflies is the presence of ‘eyespots’ in their wings.  For instance, the owl butterflies have eyespots that look similar to eyes of the owls. Animals may confuse these eyespots with the real eyes of the owls. So, they do not disturb the owl butterflies. 

(Owl Butterfly - Wikipedia)

The eyespot trick is even adapted from the caterpillar stage itself. The body of the elephant hawk moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar have eyespots. These eyespots mimic the eyes of the predators and prevent birds from eating the caterpillar. 

(Elephant Hawk Moth - Wikipedia)

Another amazing survival skill displayed by caterpillars is mimicking shape of the snakes. Several caterpillars are observed to have this mimicry abilities. The caterpillar of great orange tip butterfly (Hebomoia glaucippe) which can be found in South and Southeast Asia looks like green vine snake. 

(Hebomoia glaucippe - Wikipedia)

The beautiful caterpillar of spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Pailio troilus) have two eyespots on either side of the head. Their eyespots and shape of the head mimic snake. This mimicry protects them from predatory birds. 

(Spicebush Catterpillar - Wikipedia)

The hawk moth caterpillar (Hemeroplanes triptolemus) mimics the snake spectacularly. Their mimicry of snake is so perfect with eyespots and skin resembling the scaly skin of the snakes. This mimicry not only frighten the birds but also the humans.