TWITTER users have been left baffled by a photo that appears to show three angry looking “snakes” lurking in a tree.
The images was shared online by Rob Allam on the social media platform– but users quickly discovered that all was not as it seemed.
Images of the three headed snake was shared on TwitterCredit: Twitter
It left users baffled when they discovered it was not all as it first appearsCredit: Twitter
It turns the trio of “serpents” is actually an optical illusion formed from part of a wing belonging to a unique month.
The Attacus Atlas, also known as Atlas Moth, is one of the largest insects on the planet.
Its wing span stretches up to 27 centimetres across and is used as a defence mechanism.
Twitter user Rob explained: “Attacus Atlas is one of the largest butterflies in the world and lives only for two weeks with one goal in their adult stage – lay eggs and defend them until they hatch while disguised as a snake.”
Despite the revelation, most users were left stunned and questioned is there must be at least one snake in the picture.
One user said: “Without zooming in and reading, I thought this was a ‘look, I saved this butterfly from the snake attack’ kind of photos.
“That disguise is really good.”
And another user said: “How’s that top one not an actual snake? This moth would live longer if it didn’t look like I wanted to beat it with a broom.”
Other spoke of their shock after observing the pictures, while praising how good the disguise is.
According to the National History Museum, When the moth is threatened, it will “drop to the floor and writhe around, slowly flapping its wings to imitate snake head” to scare away predators.
They are found in the Philippines and across Asia, but sightings are rare.
The image was actually of an Attacus Atlas – one of the largest insects in the world
The moths wing span stretches up to 27 centimetres across and is used as a defence mechanism.Credit: Getty
However in 2012, the BBC reported that the unique moth had been found on a windowsill in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester.
It was so large that the Blackmore family – who discovered the impressive insect – initially “thought it was a bat”.
The BBC added that the moth had been part of a unique collection and had escaped.
Sadly, however, it died shortly after.
