Do you see three snakes in the tree? When you discover what it right is you will be surprised

Nature’s diversity is nothing short of amazing, with millions of different species that thrive across the globe and each play their unique role in their respective ecosystems.

A true testimony to the incredible adaptation skills and survival strategies that have evolved over millennia can be found in the most unexpected figures.

An example that became viral on the Internet in 2021 involved three extremely angry « snakes » that were discovered tucked in a tree. But as is often the case with nature, there was more about the story than the eye first met.

The image, shared on Twitter by user Rob Allam, caused great confusion as it apparently revealed three aggressive « snakes » in their natural element.

However, it didn’t take long for observant users to realize there was more than met the eye. Rather, the trio was nothing more than an amazing optical illusion created by a special part of the wings belonging to two different species of moths, the atlas mill.

This notable moth species belonging to Asia’s lush forests is equipped with a truly unique ability to mimic a snake’s appearance. With impressive wingspan that extends up to 24 cm, and a wing surface of about 160 cm2, the Atlas Mill is one of the largest lepidoptera species in the world.

It gets its descriptive term « Atlas » from the Greek mythological Titan, as a nod to its impressive size. It was first described by the acclaimed Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

According to Rob, who shared the viral image on Twitter, the Atlas Mill only lives in a short adult phase of two weeks, where its primary purpose is to lay eggs and protect them while at the same time camouflaging like a scary snake.

This notable defense mechanism makes it a masterful fraud, and many social media users were originally skeptical that it was actually a moth.

A surprised user wrote: « This disguise is really good. » Another expressed his amazement and jokingly noted, « How is it up there not a real snake? This moth would live anymore if it didn’t look like I would beat it with a diet. »

Despite its snake-like exterior, the Atlas Mill is actually a weak and unstable flyer. These majestic creatures prefer to rest during the day and become active airmen at night to maintain their energy. And if they feel threatened, they have a unique defense mechanism where they fall to the ground, twist and strike with the wings to emulate the appearance of a snake head, according to the National History Museum.

To make personal eye contact with these impressive atlas moths, a trip to Asia’s rainforests would probably be necessary. Nevertheless, observations of these unusual creatures have also been documented in certain areas of Europe and the United States.

In 2012, an exciting event was reported by the BBC involving a giant atlas moth discovered in a window sill in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester. The mill was so large that the family that found it first confused it with a bat. Unfortunately, the mill died shortly after his discovery and is believed to have fled a private collection.

Another remarkable case was documented in July 2022 when another Atlas-Møl was caught on camera in Bellevue, Washington. This event marked a remarkable milestone as it was the first documented observation of this kind in the United States. A similar case was also reported in Sweden by 2022.

Sven Spichiger, CEO of the State Department of Agriculture, shared his enthusiasm with NBC News and stated, « This is an insect that is fascinating to look at, because of its impressive size. »

The Atlas Mill is thus a remarkable part of the nature that surrounds us, and its optical illusion serves as a reminder of how complex and surprising biodiversity in our world can be. It is a masterful deceiver who is able to attract the attention and fascination of people around the world.