Three Angry 'Snakes' Spotted In The Tree - But There's More To The Story

They were Atlas moths, masters of disguise and grand illusionists of the insect world.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• June 8, 2024

Surprises are always lurking around the corner in the wild world of nature. Something pops up to challenge your perceptions when you think you've seen it all.

Take, for instance, a recent viral sensation featuring what appeared to be three angry snakes lurking in a tree. Cue the shivers down your spine, right? Well, not exactly.

You see, Mother Nature has a knack for throwing curveballs. Instead of slithery reptiles, those so-called snakes turned out to be something straight out of a magic trick: moths! Yes, you read that right. These were no ordinary moths either.

They were Atlas moths, masters of disguise and grand illusionists of the insect world. Imagine a creature with wings so vast they could cover your face.

That's the Atlas moth for you. Native to the lush forests of Asia, these giants of the moth kingdom have wingspans stretching up to a whopping 9.4 inches.

But here's the kicker: they're not just big; they're smart, too. They transform stunningly when it's time to lay eggs and play hide-and-seek with predators.

With wings spread wide, the Atlas moth strikes a pose that would make any Hollywood actor jealous. It contorts its body, flaps its wings just so, and voila! It looks like a snake, ready to scare off any unwanted guests. It's like having a built-in disguise, except way cooler.

Now, you might think these moths are fearless flyers, but truth be told, they're not. They're more like the introverts of the insect world, preferring to snooze during the day and flutter about at night.

But when duty calls, they don't hesitate to put on a show. Take, for instance, a memorable moment in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester, where a family stumbled upon an Atlas moth chilling on their windowsill. Thanks to its jaw-dropping size, they mistook it for a bat at first glance. Little did they know, they were face-to-face with a living legend.

And guess what? These majestic moths aren't just limited to far-off forests. In a surprising turn of events, one of them made a grand entrance in Bellevue, Washington, marking its territory as the first of its kind in the United States. Talk about making an entrance!

A man discovered some "angry snakes" hidden in a tree, sparking his curiosity.

It quickly became apparent that many others were also fascinated by these intriguing photos.

The "snakes" are an intriguing optical illusion created by parts of the wings from two different moth species called the Atlas moth.

"Attacus Atlas is one of the largest butterflies in the world and lives only for two weeks with one goal in their adult stage: lay eggs and defend them until they hatch while disguised as a snake."

These amazing moths from Asian forests have a unique talent for looking like snakes.

The Atlas moth is one of the largest species of Lepidoptera, boasting an impressive wingspan of up to 9.4 inches and a wing surface area of around 25 square inches.

Atlas moths are weak and unsteady fliers.

So, the next time you catch a glimpse of what seems like a slithery serpent lurking in the branches, hold off on the panic button. It could very well be a master of disguise, a moth pulling off the ultimate sleight of wing.

Remember, nature's playbook is full of surprises, and the real magic lies in its ability to keep us guessing. Strap in, folks, because expect the unexpected in the unpredictable realm of the great outdoors. It's one wild ride that never fails to amaze us.

Damjan