A bizarre creature that resembles a " snake about to strike" has been spotted in the North West of England.
A Merseyside resident took to Facebook to post a picture of the insect that has snake-like markings across its body.
The snap was shared on a local social media group called Rimrose Valley Friends, report Liverpool Echo.
In a fairly zoomed-in photo, the creepy critter appears to have snake-like markings all across its body. However, it seems to be much chunkier and smaller in length than the slithery reptile.
The local who shared the photo wrote: "I have just seen this caterpillar."
They then went on to question: "Does anyone recognise it and what it turns into? It raised its head like a snake about to strike."
Despite fears the mysterious creature could be a snake, last year experts at Chester Zoo confirmed these creatures are not a type of snake but instead a type of caterpillar.
Mike Jordan, animal and plant director at Chester Zoo said these creatures are called the Elephant Hawkmoth.
He said: "The caterpillar feeds on willowherb, but also fuchsias so is quite often seen in gardens. When disturbed, it inflates the segments behind the head to mimic a snake.”
When the caterpillar changes to the moth, it is mainly golden-olive with bright pink bars on the wings and body.
The similar Small Elephant Hawkmoth is smaller, yellower and less common and it is found in short grassland.
On the topic of snakes, this week a Hampshire family were left horrified after a 'very dangerous' 18ft python slithered into their home.
Photos captured the terrifying moment the 36kg python tried to get into the house through an open bedroom window
And in June, another family was left petrified and forced to call 999 when a five-foot-long snake slithered across their living room.
They feared the serpent could be dangerous, and officers who attended the address in Birmingham, found the black and white reptile hiding under a sofa.
