Caterpillars are not often thought of among the most dangerous animals in North America, but they can pack quite a punch if they are disturbed for any reason.
Recently, one man took to social media to share his harrowing encounter with one of the top five most poisonous caterpillar species on the continent, describing an experience that can only be described as painful and scary for everyone involved.
“If you come across one of these, Do Not touch it,” the man, Keith Schoonover, reported in a Facebook post that has now gone viral.
“I accidentally put my hand on one for about five seconds while moving a chair last week. It put me in the ER with what I can accurately describe as the feeling of a broken hand for 14 hours and pain all the way to my armpit and chest.”
The man went on to say that the caterpillar did not affect his muscles, but instead its effects went “right to the bone.”
In this case, he was describing a caterpillar said to resemble a “fluffy cat,” in a post that has now been shared over 220,000 times.
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This particular caterpillar species, also known as its scientific name “Megalopyge opercularis,” releases spines that break off whenever your skin brushes against it, along with an irritating fluid that produces an immediate, burning sensation according to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia.
Schoonover felt its effects first hand.
“They are the most venomous caterpillar in the U.S. and on the list of the top 15 most dangerous insects in the world,” he said.
“In the end, I’m left with blisters on my hand that does itch like crazy.”
While these insects pack a colossal punch, in truth they are only about 1 and ½ inches long.
Schoonover took the following footage during his harrowing ordeal in large part so that people “can easily identify it” in the future, he said, to prevent the same situation from ever happening in their neck of the woods.
The caterpillars are mostly located in southeastern states and west to Texas, but also all the way up to New Jersey, he said.
His Facebook video can be viewed in full by clicking here.
You can also check out a video of the dangerous insect below and be sure to share this information with anyone you know who may not realize just how bad these things sting!
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