At first glance, this strange creature could easily be mistaken for a piece of fur, a fuzzy seed, or even something growing on a plant. But it is actually a caterpillar belonging to the moth family Megalopygidae, a group commonly known as flannel moths.
Megalopygidae caterpillars are famous for their unusually dense, hair-like covering. Some species look like tiny tufts of fur crawling across leaves and branches.
However, their soft appearance can be deceptive. Several members of this family possess venomous spines concealed beneath their hairs. Contact can cause significant pain and skin irritation, so these caterpillars should be observed rather than handled.
One particularly well-known member of this family is the puss caterpillar, the larval form of the southern flannel moth (Megalopyge opercularis).
So if you encounter a mysterious furry caterpillar resembling the one in the video, avoid touching it with bare skin.
Answer: It is a Megalopygidae caterpillar — a member of the flannel moth family.
