This giant moth paid us a brief visit on a rainy night. This species is endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, and is one of the largest moths of India. Its wingspan stretches over 170 mm (bigger than an outstretched palm).
Did you notice that the wingtips of this Atlas moth somewhat resemble the face of a snake? This adaptation is a form of defense against predators like lizards and birds. When threatened, the moth mimics snake movements with its wings, attempting to scare away potential predators.
It always gives us a lot of joy to see large species like the Great Hornbill and Malabar Pied Hornbill at Forest Hut. However, until they nest here, it may be just a transient place for them. The smaller and special species’s like this one, the Indian Dot Frog and the Phipson’s Shieldtail spend their entire lives in a limited area, provided the right habitat. And that makes these sightings special.
Photograph by Shree Dave
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