Check out this cool spiny caterpillar I saw in Ecuador! We have plenty of…

Check out this cool spiny caterpillar I saw in Ecuador!
We have plenty of fluffy hairy caterpillars here in Ontario, so I knew the general rule of ‘if it’s fluffy don’t touch it’. But none of our hairy caterpillars are really a danger – at worst you might end up with itchy skin if it happened to be a species with urticating hairs (tiny hairs that get under your skin and make it painful and itchy). So there I was, using a blade of grass to position my caterpillar for a photograph, but not hugely concerned if my fingers got a little too close. Our guide stood nearby watching clearly amused, but didn’t say anything. That is, until I finished my little photoshoot and stood up…at which point he told me a story of how as a kid he had touched this species of caterpillar. Apparently the pain was excruciating and travelled all the way up his arm to his shoulder! Needless to say I took a few steps back away from the caterpillar at that point LOL!!
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#naturephotography #nature_marvels #nakedplanet #naturegeography #wildlifeig #wildlifelover #wildlifeperfection #wildlifephotography #macro_nature_spirit #macrophotography #danger #travelphotographer #travelbug #wonderlust #bnesimppl