Fluffy Caterpillar Looks Just Like Donald Trump's Hair
A moth caterpillar in the Peruvian Amazon bears a resemblance to a certain presidential candidate.
New photos have revealed a bizarre, big-haired beast lurking deep in the Peruvian Amazon, and scientists noticed that the odd creature bears a striking resemblance to a certain U.S. presidential candidate's famous (or perhaps infamous) hairdo.
The flannel moth caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis) sports fluffy, orange tufts that look suspiciously similar to Donald Trump's hair. As such, the researchers who encountered this creature have dubbed it the "Trumpapillar," after the Republican presidential candidate.
Wildlife photographer Jeff Cremer was scouting in the Peruvian Amazon, when he came across the bright-orange, luxuriant fluff ball. [7 Most Misleading Animal Names]
"I was putting on my boots, and someone said, 'Hey, check out this caterpillar hanging out,'" said Cremer, who captured photos of the larva in all its hairy beauty. "Sure enough, it was Donald Trump's hair hanging on a branch."
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This isn't the first time Cremer has seen the strange-looking caterpillar. He also spotted the creature four years ago, when he noticed the striking resemblance to Trump's hair, Cremer said.
Locals call this creature "ovejillo," which means "little sheep" in Spanish, Cremer told Live Science.
However, despite the critter's fluffy and adorable appearance, close contact with the Trumpapillar can be extremely irritating and even painful. That's because it's covered with so-called urticating hairs similar to those found on tarantulas, Cremer said.
"The hairs have little spines or little hooks on them that just go into your skin and irritate your skin and make you itch really bad," Cremer said. "Those spines have hypodermic needles in them that can inject venom, and it's extremely painful," causing raised welts and extreme pain for about a day, he said.
The flannel moth caterpillar, which measures about 2.5 inches long (6 centimeters) uses this venomous strategy to defend against potential predators, he added.
Like the troll dolls of the 1990s, the furry caterpillars come in a variety of colors, like white, yellow, red and pink, Cremer said. However, these aren't the only weird critters lurking in this region of the Amazon; Cremer has also found alien-like glowworms, weird symbiotic fungus, ant and caterpillar networks, and mysterious butterflies that drink turtle tears.
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VIEW PHOTOS: San Francisco Shelter 'Trumps' Adoptable Animals
Animal Care & Control San Francisco
(ACC) has recently hit on a savvy way to increase the visibility for animals in its care that are in need of homes. In short, they've "trumped" some of the adorable critters' photos. The strategy follows up on the recent "TrumpYourCat" instagram meme, wherein the pictured pets have their fur combed upward in a nice swoop, or instead receive a tiny toupee, to mimic the -- let's call it
distinctive
-- hairstyle of a certain presidential candidate about whom we've all heard a thing or two recently. Let's have a look at some of these animals in need. Some look a bit uneasy with the temporary makeover; others don't seem to notice at all. In any case, what's certain is that the homeless critters are partisan only insofar as they'd like a place to call home. Note that we'll include the shelter ID number for each animal, where one is available -- just in case you take a liking to one of them and want to inquire about him or her! Here, a bunny named Annabelle (ID: A374595) has been trumped for the occasion of a new photo.
This pup, named Scout, got a great boost in the polls, thanks to the increased publicity. ACC's Facebook page reports he has been adopted, after going in for "The Donald" treatment.
Even kittens got into the act. This one, a foster named Sunny, looks like it might rather be chewing a toy, but plays along anyway.
Nala (ID: A375722) has fur that sorta blends in with her Trump wig, and she doesn't seem to mind it anymore than the candidate does.
Sedona was "trumped" and doesn't even seem to notice, never mind care about, the new look (ID: A367500).
ACC reports that this pup, Coco, was another trumped-up success. She has been adopted! For her part, Coco humbly asks "Who me?"
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Phoebe (ID: A375162) hopes a politician's unusual hair can somehow translate into a new home for her.
Percy (ID: A374817) has really nailed the "Trumpian" style.
Miss Tioga (ID A375355) goes for the sharp contrast, with her dark fur against her stylish Trump wig.
Big Brother is a bunny that was "hoppy" to get the Trump treatment, ACC wrote on its
.