The Atlas moth’s body is way smaller compared to its wings, which makes for a really noticeable size difference. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and is one of the largest insects on Earth. Its name comes from Atlas, the Titan in Greek mythology, which is a nod to its hefty size.
“Attacus Atlas is among the largest butterflies in the world, and when it’s an adult, it only lives for a short two-week stretch. During that time, its main job is to lay eggs and protect them until they hatch, all while disguising itself as a snake,” Rob Allam explained.
At first, a lot of social media users just couldn’t believe that the creature in the photo was actually a moth.
“That disguise is seriously good,” one user said.