While some predatory species try to pass of as unthreatening, one caterpillar takes the opposite approach by masquerading as a snake in an attempt to scare away predators, UK MailOnline reported.
Through the retraction of its legs and expanding the end of its body, which has markings that look like eyes, the green "snake caterpillar" creates the illusion of looking like a dangerous reptile.
Claiming the caterpillar to be part of the hemeroplanes species, Professor Daniel Janzen captured the images as part of his work cataloguing caterpillars.
Apart from having a similar appearance to a snake, the caterpillar even behaves like one, according to UK MailOnline.
Before transforming into a moth, the creature can strike in defense when it is approached in a larval state. However, the caterpillar does not have the ability to administer a bite similar to a snake.
"The snake-like caterpillar grows into the moth Hemeroplanes triptolemus," UK MailOnline reported. "Its chest and wings are covered in scales and the moth feeds on nectar."
"The sizeable creatures only live for between 10 and 30 days and can be found in Costa Rica, Belize Mexico and Guatemala. In larval form, the species looks like a snake and even mimics its behavior as it can harmlessly strike at potential predators."
The insect was photographed by Professor Janzen, who is a biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, while he worked in the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
"To normal people this caterpillar might look weird and scary, but for me it's just a walk in the park," he said. "Every caterpillar in Costa Rica looks like something else - be it a leaf, twig or in this case, a slithering snake."
"Over the years I've seen and photographed so many different types of bugs I'm never surprised, but they always interest me."
