Carnivorous Caterpillar, Really?

Bone collector caterpillar

Seems if we look closely enough in nature--sleuthing every habitat nook and cranny, every possible niche and cryptic disguise--there are new discoveries awaiting. And so "new" species of plants and animals are uncovered each year.

But this creature's lifestyle is so weird, I had to pass along this article in Smithsonian magazine. The caterpillar of this moth is not only carnivorous, it uses the leftover parts from its meals to disguise itself! Beetle abdomens, weevil heads, and even parts of shed spider exoskeletons. Why? So those spiders whose home it shares won't eat it! Told you this was weird.

Daniel Rubinoff, one of the researchers who made the discovery, noted, "They're cruising around like, 'Oh, this looks delicious. I'll eat some of this and then put the rest on my back.'"

Up to you, but you may not want to view the article's photos and video right before bed.

Ain't the world we share great?