I saw something odd on the floor at home and reached toward it—then it suddenly moved. What I discovered terrified me.

At first glance, it didn’t look like anything alive. It just lay there on my floor like a bright green scrap of a plant, maybe a piece of a houseplant that had fallen… or even a shiny toy one of the kids had dropped. 🤔

I stood over it, confused. The shape was too smooth. The color was almost neon. And those little “horns” on the sides looked like plastic.

Curiosity got the better of me. I leaned in a little closer—

And right then, the “object” twitched. 😲
I froze.

A second later, it moved. It started crawling across the floor like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. 😳

I nearly screamed. It looked so strange—its body was covered with dark, thin spikes that seemed to whisper one clear warning:

“Don’t touch me.”

Only after researching did I realize just how dangerous the situation had been. 😱

What it actually was shocked me

It turned out to be a saddleback caterpillar, and I honestly consider myself lucky. If I had picked it up the way I originally intended, the result could have been extremely painful.

Those spikes?
They’re venomous.

Just brushing against them can inject venom into the skin. People who touch them often experience:

sudden, intense pain

redness and swelling

blistering

dizziness

nausea

numbness

Some people even end up going to the hospital because the pain is so severe.

As I read more, I felt chills go down my entire back. One careless moment, and my hand could have been in agony.

What to do if you accidentally touch one

If you ever come into contact with a saddleback caterpillar:

Use tape to remove any spines stuck in the skin—very gently.

Wash the area with soap and water.

Apply ice to reduce swelling.

Take an antihistamine if needed.

See a doctor if symptoms get worse or if the pain is intense.

How I handled it

I very carefully used a broom to guide the caterpillar into a jar and released it far out in the garden. It can live its little caterpillar life—just not inside my home.

And now?
Whenever I see something unfamiliar on the floor, I definitely think twice before touching it.