A Strange “Leaf” on the Floor Nearly Sent Me to the ER — What I Learned About Saddleback Caterpillars and Why You Should Never Touch One Indoors

nearly became a very painful mistake.

As I reached for it, something made me pause. Maybe it was the strange shape, or the way the “leaf” seemed to sit on the floor with more weight than a real leaf would. I leaned closer, squinting. And that’s when I saw it: the tiniest movement. The “leaf” wasn’t a leaf at all.

It was a saddleback caterpillar.

Small,continue reading …