Seriously, Don't Ever Touch a Puss Caterpillar If You See One

DO. NOT. TOUCH. EVER. IF YOU SEE A PUSS CATERPILLAR, JUST KEEP ON GOING

“What the hell is that?” If that was your instant reaction to seeing the picture, it’s totally understandable. The answer, as embarrassing as it is, it that is what we literally call a Puss Caterpillar. It doesn’t even look real! But not only is it real, it’s something that a couple hundred million people could come across, not know the dangers, and touch the damn thing to see what it is. Hey, that’s a natural reaction! Especially when your brain can’t recognize or categorize what it’s seeing. The sense of caution goes on pause, and you reach out. But in this case, you really, really, REALLY don’t want to do that. Why? Because it’s literally one of the most venomous insects in all of North America, that’s why.

THAT SOFT, INNOCENT LOOKING FUR HIDES SPINES THAT DELIVER AGONIZING VENOM

It’s real, scientific name is Megalopyge opercularis. As you can see, it’s covered in what looks like soft, innocent fur. The kind of fur that makes you want to touch it almost as soon as you see it. From some angles, the Puss Caterpillar might look like a little furry glob, and you might try to touch it just to help identify it. But if you were to do that, the result would be pain. Like, massive, instant pain. Because under that teensy tiny Cousin Itt exterior, this critter has a natural defense in the way of venomous spines. And if you were to touch one, those out of sight spines would deliver quite the lesson never to do so again in the form of nasty venom.

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THE PAIN FROM A PUSS CATERPILLAR STING COULD MAKE YOU LIVE AS A SHUT-IN FOREVER

As soon as you get hit with a dose of the poison, the pain will hit in an instant, and even possibly radiate further around the point of where you got stung. Some people have said that the sting gave them the worst pain they’d ever experienced in their lives. Even if you just accidentally brush up against a Puss Caterpillar, that could be all it takes to make you afraid to go outside ever again. Besides the pain, you could also get a nasty red, grid-like rash, a fever, swollen glands, a headache, vomiting from the pain and even more extreme- have respiratory distress and go into shock. Yes, all that, on top of really, really, REALLY bad pain.

Normally, the really, really, REALLY bad pain will go away after a few hours. But if you have any trouble breathing, have chest pains or swelling in your face or throat, get thee to an emergency room STAT. Because that means you’re also having an allergic reaction which could kill you. So where can you find these little devils? The southeastern and south-central United States, up north as far as Virginia and New Jersey, and as far west as Texas. Do. Not. Touch.