The Amazing and Marvelous Caterpillar
Behold, the lowly caterpillar. The spirit animal of one Dr. Andrew Huberman. Yes, his spirit animal. I kid you not. These worm-like creatures, the larvae of butterflies, have evolved incredible strategies to survive and thrive over millennia.
Fossil records show caterpillars have been around a long time, with the oldest known fossil dating all the way back to the Mesozoic Era — about 145 million years ago.
Over time, caterpillars have evolved a myriad of defenses to protect themselves from predators. Some display bright colors, others are camouflaged. Many caterpillars have chemical defenses. They can release foul-smelling odors to deter predators; and they’re even able to ‘play dead’ to avoid getting eaten.
And that’s a good thing. Caterpillars have lots of natural predators, like birds, mammals, insects, and even spiders. But they can do some serious damage too, especially to agricultural crops.
Some caterpillars pose risks to humans too. They can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Caterpillars have maintained cultural relevance throughout history. In ancient Egypt, they were associated with the goddess Isis. In European folklore the caterpillar symbolized transformation, and still does in most western cultures to this day.
Who knew?
