From larvae to fully fledged moths, this species is intriguing. The caterpillar's name refers to its thinner head and thorax, which resemble an elephant trunk.
However, like many moth caterpillars, it has evolved to disguise itself with snake-like patterns, including eyes, in order to deter potential predators. It even has a technique to simulate blinking an eye; the caterpillars have a protrusion called an anal horn that can palpate rapidly, giving the appearance of a blinking eye.
If the caterpillar survives and reaches the cocoon stage, it will become one of the most beautiful and distinctive moths in its home country. Unlike other moth species, which are generally gray or brown, the Elephant Hawk Moth is pink and olive in color. They are sometimes mistaken for pink butterflies; however, they are nocturnal and have thick, fuzzy bodies, just like most moths.
