Animal Videos

Did you know that spicebush swallowtail caterpillars develop spots on their heads and change colors to trick predators into thinking they are snakes? This read-along video for kids will discuss even more interesting facts about this cool creature. Spicebush caterpillars are a type of caterpillar found in eastern North America and Canada, mainly in wooded areas and gardens. As they mature through metamorphosis, the spicebush caterpillar becomes the spicebush swallowtail. Swallowtails are a type of butterfly known for their large dark wings with colorful patterns at the bottom. While in this caterpillar stage, they shed their skin five times as they grow. Each stage is called an instar. In the first three stages, the insect is small, dark green, and white, growing each time it sheds its skin. In the fourth and fifth stage, the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar changes color. It turns bright green or yellow with dark black spots on its head. It also has some blue spots and a pink bottom