dark spines stuck out of its body
It took only a second for curiosity to turn into terror.
That tiny, perfect green “leaf” with plastic-looking horns was actually a saddleback caterpillar,
one of the most deceptively dangerous little creatures you can find indoors.
I had almost picked it up with my bare hand
, thinking I was just cleaning a bit of plant debris off the floor.
Only later did I learn that its spines are loaded with venom powerful enough to cause searing pain,
swelling, blisters, and symptoms that send many people to the hospital.
Instead, I backed away, grabbed a jar, and coaxed it inside with something long and safe.
After releasing it far out in the garden, the reality hit me: one careless touch,
and my day could have turned into a medical emergency.
Now, every time I see something strange on the floor, I pause. I look closer.
And I remember how close I came to learning that lesson the hard way.
