In my yard, I explored something very strange.

At first glance, it appeared to be a long, winding rope laying on the grass, as if it had been dropped on purpose. But then I thought, “What if it’s a snake?!” My heart began racing.

I immediately grabbed my phone, took a photo, and, pumped up, began to approach. Every step felt stiff; the thought of something harmful was horrible.

When I got close enough to look, I was beaten with horror. There wasn’t a rope. It was not a snake, either. In front of me crawled a slow-moving column of roughly 150 caterpillars, which I finally counted!

They moved in a straight line, densely loaded together, as if guided by an invisible leader. I had no idea this was possible, let alone in my own yard!

Where were they heading? Why are there so many? These questions refuse to leave my head. Some feel that moving caterpillars in groups can hinder predators. Perhaps they look for food more easily that way.